Glendale firefighter Andrew Jimenez, beats wife to death with axe moments after reading her diary confirming infidelity. Victim identified as Mayra Jimenez, Wilshire Park Elementary School teacher. Suspect charged with domestic violence murder.
A California firefighter is accused of beating his wife to death with an axe moments after reading her diary that ‘confirmed her infidelity,’ according to investigators.
Glendale firefighter Andrew Jimenez, 45, flagged down officers at the department’s station in Glassell Park just on 4 a.m, Wednesday morning, telling them he was unable to reach his wife and requesting a welfare check.
Officers responded to the couple’s residence at the 5600 block of Satsuma Avenue where they found Mayra Jimenez, 55, with blunt force trauma injuries. Paramedics pronounced her dead at the scene, with investigators saying the woman had been bludgeoned with an axe found at the residence.
Glendale firefighter and Wilshire Park Elementary School teacher had been married since 2014
Jimenez was taken in for questioning just after at 4:30 a.m., where he confessed to slaying his wife.
The city of Glendale released a statement saying that Jimenez had been placed on administrative leave following the firefighter’s arrest.
‘Our condolences are with the victim’s family and loved ones,’ said Fire Chief Jeff Brooks. ‘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.’
According to KTLA, Mayra Jimenez who taught third grade at Wilshire Park Elementary School was a ‘caring educator’ and a union representative with United Teachers Los Angeles. The couple had been married since 2014.
Mayra Jimenez was also an ordained minister, according to her website.
Domestic violence murder
Following the firefighter’s arrest, the suspect’s attorney stated Jimenez had read his wife’s diary, which he claimed ‘verified infidelity by the deceased,’ just ‘moments’ before beating her to death. The attorney has since withdrawn from the case according to Eyewitness News.
News of the wife’s brutal death shocked neighbors who knew the couple.
‘Such a violent crime, the extreme,’ neighbor, Camilla Cabrera told KTLA. ‘There’s never been any violence or domestic violence or signs of that at all. So, I’m really surprised.’
Jimenez began working with the Glendale Fire Department in 2008 and had recently been promoted. He was considered a distinguished firefighter who helped battle the Palisades Fire.
Jimenez who now faces one count of domestic violence murder remains held on a $2 million bond.
If convicted, Jimenez faces 26 years to life in state prison.
