{{short description|American athlete (1974–2014)}} {{Infobox person | name = April Jace | image = April Jace.jpg | caption = April Jace running in the 2014 Southern California Indoor Meet (February) | birth_name = April Denise Laune | birth_date = {{birth date|1974|05|06}} | birth_place = Hawthorne, California, U.S. | death_date = {{death date and age|2014|05|19|1974|05|06}} | death_place = Hyde Park, Los Angeles, California, U.S. | death_cause = Murder (gunshot wound) | alma_mater = California State University, Fullerton | occupation = Masters track and field athlete | spouse = {{unbulleted list | {{marriage|Michael Jace|2003}} }} | children = 3 }}
'''April Jace''' (born '''April Denise Laune'''; May 6, 1974 – May 19, 2014)<ref name=HLN>{{cite news |last=Lanfreschi |first=Anna |title=Who is actor Michael Jace? |url=http://www.hlntv.com/article/2014/05/20/michael-jace-april-jace-shield-actor-wife-dead-arrest |accessdate=29 May 2014 |newspaper=HLN |date=21 May 2014 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140521145105/http://www.hlntv.com/article/2014/05/20/michael-jace-april-jace-shield-actor-wife-dead-arrest |archivedate=21 May 2014 |url-status=live }}</ref> was an American masters track and field athlete who ran in sprinting competitions. She was the 2011 world champion in the women's over-35 4 × 100 meters relay.
==Early life== April Laune attended Hawthorne High School in Hawthorne, California. She attended college at California State University, Fullerton.
==Athletic career== Jace ran with the Elite Health team and later with the Trojan Masters Club.<ref>{{cite news |title=39th Annual Striders Meet of Champions - 4/28/2012 Cerritos College Results |url=http://www.scstriders.org/meets/2012MOC-results.php |accessdate=29 May 2014 |newspaper=Southern California Striders |date=28 April 2012 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20131031234718/http://www.scstriders.org/meets/2012MOC-results.php |archivedate=31 October 2013 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref name=nbcla>{{cite news |last=Lloyd |first=Jonathan and Jason Kandel |title="The Shield" Actor Michael Jace Charged With Murder in Wife's Shooting Death |url=http://www.nbclosangeles.com/news/local/The-Shield-Actor-Michael-Jace-Arraignment-Shooting-Wife-April-Jace-260258201.html |accessdate=29 May 2014 |newspaper=NBC 4 Southern California |date=23 May 2014 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140522161103/http://www.nbclosangeles.com/news/local/The-Shield-Actor-Michael-Jace-Arraignment-Shooting-Wife-April-Jace-260258201.html |archivedate=22 May 2014 |url-status=live }}</ref> She was the 2013 Southern California USATF W35 champion at 100 meters.<ref>{{cite news |title=USATF SoCal Masters Championships Online @ Raiders.LiveTrackResults.com - 6/29/2013 Cal Tech Results |url=http://scausatf.org/events/masters_tf/2013_SCA_Masters_Results.htm |accessdate=29 May 2014 |newspaper=Southern California Striders |date=29 June 2013 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140521130620/http://scausatf.org/events/masters_tf/2013_SCA_Masters_Results.htm |archivedate=21 May 2014 |url-status=dead }}</ref> Jace finished second in the W35 Invitational race at the Mt. SAC Relays behind only American record holder Joy Upshaw.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.runnerspace.com/gprofile.php?do=view_athlete&mgroup_id=29758&bio_id=381507&year=all|title=Unattached - Athletes - April Jace|work=RunnerSpace.com|access-date=2018-02-13}}</ref> She was ranked as high as number 5 in the United States<ref>{{cite news |title=2011 Outdoor Rankings Results for APRIL JACE, USA - Age 40 |url=http://mastersrankings.com/indresults.php?season=Outdoor&year=2011&nameno=USA32479827APRILJACE&country=USA |accessdate=29 May 2014 |newspaper=mastersrankings.com |date=2011 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140521150118/http://mastersrankings.com/indresults.php?season=Outdoor&year=2011&nameno=USA32479827APRILJACE&country=USA |archivedate=21 May 2014 |url-status=dead }}</ref> and was a 2011 World Championship finalist individually in the 100 meters and won a gold medal on the USA 4×100 meters relay team.<ref>{{cite news |title=2011 WMA Outdoor Championships Sacramento, CA - 7/6/2011 to 7/17/2011 Results |url=http://www.world-masters-athletics.org/files/results/sacramento/women.htm |accessdate=29 May 2014 |newspaper=World Masters Athletics |date=10 April 2014 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20131207031852/http://www.world-masters-athletics.org/files/results/sacramento/women.htm |archivedate=7 December 2013 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
==Personal life== Jace was the wife of actor Michael Jace. The couple were married for eleven years from 2003 until her murder in 2014 and had two sons.<ref>{{cite news |last=Tate |first=Amethyst |title=Who Is April Jace? 'The Shield' Actor Michael Jace Arrested For Allegedly Shooting Wife During Argument |url=http://www.ibtimes.com/who-april-jace-shield-actor-michael-jace-arrested-allegedly-shooting-wife-during-argument-1587347 |accessdate=29 May 2014 |newspaper=International Business Times |date=20 May 2014 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140523044742/http://www.ibtimes.com/who-april-jace-shield-actor-michael-jace-arrested-allegedly-shooting-wife-during-argument-1587347 |archivedate=23 May 2014 |url-status=live }}</ref>
==Murder and trial== Late in the evening on May 19, 2014, police were called to the couple's address in the 5445 block of Brynhurst Avenue, in the Hyde Park neighborhood of Los Angeles, where April was found shot to death.<ref name=lat>{{cite news |last=Staff |title='Shield' actor Michael Jace accused of domestic violence in divorce |url=http://www.latimes.com/local/lanow/la-me-ln-shield-actor-michael-jace-domestic-violence-accusations-20140520-story.html |accessdate=29 May 2014 |newspaper=Los Angeles Times |date=20 May 2014 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140521002301/http://www.latimes.com/local/lanow/la-me-ln-shield-actor-michael-jace-domestic-violence-accusations-20140520-story.html |archivedate=21 May 2014 |url-status=live }}</ref> Michael was taken into custody the following day on suspicion of homicide;<ref>{{cite news |last=Staff |title=Actor Michael Jace arrested over fatal shooting of wife April Jace at home in Los Angeles |url=http://www.cbsnews.com/news/actor-michael-jace-held-over-fatal-shooting-of-wife-april-jace-in-los-angeles/ |accessdate=29 May 2014 |newspaper=CBS News |date=20 May 2014 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140521031629/http://www.cbsnews.com/news/actor-michael-jace-held-over-fatal-shooting-of-wife-april-jace-in-los-angeles/ |archivedate=21 May 2014 |url-status=live }}</ref> on May 22, he was charged with murder.<ref>{{cite news |last=Duke |first=Alan |title='Shield' actor Michael Jace officially charged with wife's murder |url=http://www.cnn.com/2014/05/22/showbiz/shield-actor-michael-jace-homicide-charge/ |accessdate=29 May 2014 |newspaper=CNN |date=22 May 2014 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140523040044/http://www.cnn.com/2014/05/22/showbiz/shield-actor-michael-jace-homicide-charge/ |archivedate=23 May 2014 |url-status=live }}</ref>
In the trial, based on detective interviews,<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://chimes.biola.edu/story/2016/may/31/michael-jace-found-guilty-second-degree-murder/|title=Michael Jace found guilty of second-degree murder|website=The Chimes {{!}} Biola University|date=31 May 2016 |language=en|access-date=2018-02-13}}</ref> Deputy District Attorney Tannaz Mokayef said, "April Jace was an avid runner and the actor shot her in the legs because he wanted her to feel pain."
Later, Mokayef attributed another quote to her husband: "You like to run so much, why don't you try running to heaven."<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/shield-actor-michael-jace-murder-trial-begins-article-1.2648106|title=Michael Jace told wife to 'run to heaven' after killing her: DA|work=NY Daily News|access-date=2018-02-13|language=en}}</ref>
On May 31, 2016, a jury convicted Michael of second-degree murder in the shooting death of April.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Lara|first1=Jovana|last2=ABC7.com staff|title=Former 'Shield' actor Michael Jace found guilty of wife's murder|url=http://abc7.com/news/verdict-reached-in-murder-trial-of-shield-actor-michael-jace/1364108/|work=ABC7 Los Angeles|agency=Associated Press|publisher=ABC Inc.|date=May 31, 2016|accessdate=May 31, 2016}}</ref> On June 10, 2016, he was sentenced to 40 years to life in prison. He is incarcerated at the California State Prison, Corcoran at Corcoran, California.<ref>{{cite news |last=Myers |first=Amanda Lee |url=http://www.ctvnews.ca/entertainment/shield-actor-gets-40-years-to-life-in-wife-s-killing-1.2940563 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160610190259/http://www.ctvnews.ca/entertainment/shield-actor-gets-40-years-to-life-in-wife-s-killing-1.2940563 |url-status=dead |archive-date=June 10, 2016 |title='Shield' actor gets 40 years to life in wife's killing|publisher=Bell Media |agency=Associated Press |work=CTV News |date=June 11, 2016}}</ref>
April's family released a statement to the Associated Press calling her shooting "a senseless act of domestic violence."<ref>{{cite news| url= https://www.foxnews.com/entertainment/family-of-michael-jaces-wife-calls-death-senseless/ |title= Family of Michael Jace's wife calls death 'senseless' |agency= Associated Press | publisher= Fox News | date=30 May 2014 | access-date= 5 June 2014}}</ref> Her memorial was held at the Oasis Church in Los Angeles, California.<ref>[http://www.oasisla.org/jace-memorial-service/ April Jace Memorial Service Information] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140626030311/http://www.oasisla.org/jace-memorial-service/ |date=June 26, 2014 }} at Oasis Church</ref> A GoFundMe page was created in support of her three children (aged 5, 8, and 18 at the time of her death).<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.tmz.com/2014/05/23/michael-april-jace-murder-donations-gofundme-burial-children/|title=Michael Jace -- Dead Wife's Family Seeks Money -- We Need Help Burying April|work=TMZ|access-date=2018-02-13}}</ref>
Jace had previously worked for the Los Angeles Unified School District and was "a well-liked financial aid counselor"<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.dailynews.com/2016/05/05/lapd-hacks-into-locked-iphone-of-actor-michael-jaces-slain-wife/|title=LAPD hacks into locked iPhone of actor Michael Jace's slain wife|date=2016-05-05|work=Daily News|access-date=2018-02-13|language=en-US}}</ref> in Biola University's Financial Aid department at the time of her death.<ref name=nbcla /><ref name=lat /> The office was closed in her memory, and the Director hailed her work ethic and service to the university's students.<ref>{{cite news |last=Drum |first=Dayna Drum & Grace Gibney |title=April Jace lovingly remembered in wake of tragic death |url=http://chimes.biola.edu/story/2014/may/21/april-jace-lovingly-remembered-wake-tragic-death/ |accessdate=29 May 2014 |newspaper=Biola University Chimes |date=21 May 2014 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140523064257/http://chimes.biola.edu/story/2014/may/21/april-jace-lovingly-remembered-wake-tragic-death/ |archivedate=23 May 2014 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Lloyd |first=Jonathan |title=Co-Workers Mourn School Counselor Killed in Shooting at "Shield" Actor's Home |url=http://www.nbclosangeles.com/news/local/April-Michael-Jace-Shooting-LAPD-Actor-Arrest-Biola-University-259982131.html |accessdate=29 May 2014 |newspaper=NBC 4 Southern California |date=20 May 2014 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140521125213/http://www.nbclosangeles.com/news/local/April-Michael-Jace-Shooting-LAPD-Actor-Arrest-Biola-University-259982131.html |archivedate=21 May 2014 |url-status=live }}</ref> A memorial was held at the university's Calvary Chapel.<ref>{{cite news| url= http://photos.whittierdailynews.com/2014/05/20/photos-april-jace-memorial-at-biola-university/#!photo_num=1 |title= Photos: April Jace memorial at Biola University |newspaper= Whittier Daily News | date= 20 May 2014}}</ref> Biola University has set up a Memorial Scholarship in her name.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://biola.academicworks.com/opportunities/4192|title=Biola University Scholarships - April Jace Memorial Scholarship|website=biola.academicworks.com|language=en|access-date=2018-02-13}}</ref>
==References== {{Reflist|2}}
==External links== * [https://www.facebook.com/ripapriljace Memorial page] at Facebook * [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PqFHqALwZNQ Candid moments video] at YouTube * [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nTkIWBm3-Ag April Jace my friend tribute video] at YouTube
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Jace, April}} Category:1974 births Category:2014 deaths Category:African-American track and field athletes Category:American women sprinters Category:American murder victims Category:Biola University Category:California State University, Fullerton, alumni Category:Deaths by firearm in California Category:Female murder victims Category:People murdered in California Category:Victims of uxoricide Category:Murdered African-American people Category:Sportspeople from Hawthorne, California Category:Track and field athletes from Los Angeles County, California Category:21st-century American sportswomen Category:21st-century African-American sportswomen Category:Hawthorne High School (California) alumni Category:2014 murders in the United States