NOBLESVILLE, Ind. — Xavier Breland faces a new intimidation charge while he remains the only person of interest in the disappearance of his Carmel wife, Ciera Breland, over two years ago.
A Hamilton County jury convicted Xavier on June 11 for unlawful possession of a firearm by a serious violent felon, and a Carmel woman said Xavier threatened her life during the trial.
Ciera Breland was last seen on Feb. 24, 2022, in Johns Creek, Georgia. She was visiting family with her husband, Xavier. He reported her missing from their Carmel home on Feb. 26, 2022. But Carmel Police do not think she ever returned home from Georgia. Their investigation did find three guns in their home.
That led to last week's conviction of Xavier. He is now in the Hamilton County Jail awaiting sentencing July 18 in that case.
Blaire Duncan attended the trial as an advocate for Ciera and her family. She said Xavier threatened her on the same day he was convicted.
"As I was exiting the courtroom, he made direct eye contact with me, and then he turned back to face the courtroom and as I walked behind him to exit, he said, 'You better hope you see me before I see you.' And so, I'm really not there for his antics, and I fully expected something like that from him," Duncan said.
Duncan said that Xavier also noticed the lockscreen photo on her phone, a photo of a child, and said, "Cute kid" — not as a compliment.
"No, it was in a threatening way, for sure. Absolutely," Duncan said.
Court records say courthouse security cameras captured the interaction. Xavier is now charged with intimidation, with his initial hearing in that case scheduled for July 10.
"I'm not afraid of Xavier Breland," Duncan said. "I obviously wouldn't be here doing what I'm doing if I was. I'm really over the audacity that it takes for him to think that he can speak to anyone any way that he wants and to think that he's above the law. And I'm really glad to see some justice and really happy to be a part of that justice."
But Duncan ultimately wants justice for Ciera, whose body has never been found. Duncan became interested in the case when Ciera was reported missing. Duncan herself had experience being in an emotionally abusive relationship. She also recognized Xavier as man who’s profile she had seen on dating apps, even though he was married. She reported that to Carmel police, investigated the case, and has gotten to know and love Ciera’s family.
Duncan attends all Indiana court hearings involving Xavier to represent Ciera’s family, who lives in Georgia. Duncan believes Xavier killed Ciera and her body is likely in Georgia, or somewhere on the route from Georgia to Indiana.
She urges anyone with information to contact police or reach out to the "Where is Ciera Breland" Facebook group.