By Terri Vermeulen Keith
City News Service
LOS ANGELES (CNS) – A Glendale firefighter was charged with murder today for allegedly bludgeoning his wife inside their North Hollywood home.
The murder charge against Andrew Jimenez, 45, includes a sentence-enhancing allegation of the use of a deadly weapon. He remains jailed in lieu of $2 million bail.
Jimenez was scheduled to be arraigned Friday afternoon in downtown Los Angeles on the charge, which stems from the Wednesday killing of Mayra Jimenez, 55, a third-grade teacher at Wilshire Park Elementary School in Koreatown. Her body was found Wednesday morning inside the couple’s home in the 5600 block of Satsuma Avenue.
According to police, Andrew Jimenez went to LAPD’s Northeast Community Police Station at 3353 N. San Fernando Road in Glassell Park, about 10 miles from his home, around 4 a.m. Wednesday to request a welfare check on his wife, saying he had been unable to reach her.
The victim was later located at the residence, where detectives discovered she had suffered blunt force trauma. She was pronounced dead at the scene, prompting police to establish a homicide crime scene, with Robbery-Homicide Division Valley Bureau detectives taking over the investigation.
“Homicide investigators conducted interviews, reviewed videos and processed the crime scene. Their investigation revealed that the victim and suspect were in a marital relationship and that this was an incident of domestic violence,” police said in a statement.
The suspect had apparently found out his wife was cheating on him “moments” before the killing, according to attorney Jose Romero, who was representing Andrew Jimenez at the time of his arrest.
“Our office is currently in contact with law enforcement regarding a diary of the decedent, apparently read moments before the homicide, that verified infidelity by the decedent,” Romero told various media outlets in a statement at the time. He said Andrew Jimenez was a “veteran of the Pacific Palisades fire.”
The couple had been married since November 2014, The New York Post reported, citing pictures on social media.
Investigators said they believe the victim was beaten to death with an axe that was found at the scene, Fox11 reported, although police did not immediately confirm that report.
Andrew Jimenez, who has served as a firefighter/paramedic with the Glendale Fire Department (GFD) since April 28, 2008, was placed on administrative leave effective immediately, according to the city of Glendale.
“Our condolences are with the victim’s family and loved ones,” GFD Chief Jeff Brooks said in a statement. “We are prepared to support those impacted by this tragedy, and we are also ensuring our firefighters and staff have access to support resources as they process this loss.”
“This is an extremely serious and deeply troubling matter,” city officials said. “First and foremost, our hearts are with the victim’s family and loved ones, and we extend our sincere condolences as they grieve this tragic loss.”
Crisis counseling was offered to students and staff at Wilshire Park Elementary School on Thursday.
“We are heartbroken by this loss, and many of us are still processing this information, as we only just learned of it,” a LA Unified School District representative said in a message sent to the school community Wednesday. “Mrs. Jimenez was a beloved teacher, colleague and friend, and she made a lasting impact on our school community and the students she served. Our thoughts are with Mrs. Jimenez’s family, loved ones and all who are grieving during this incredibly difficult time. We ask that the community respect the privacy of Mrs. Jimenez’s family during this difficult time.”
Anyone with additional information regarding the case was urged to call the Robbery-Homicide Division’s Valley Bureau at 818-374-9550. Calls during nonbusiness hours or weekends should be directed to 310-726-7700 or 877- 527-3247.
Tipsters who prefer to remain anonymous can call Crime Stoppers at 800-222-8477 or visit lacrimestoppers.org.