California Firefighter Accused of Axe Murder Following Alleged Discovery of Wife's Infidelity
A veteran California firefighter has been arrested and charged with murder after allegedly bludgeoning his wife to death with an axe at their North Hollywood home, with police suggesting the horrific attack followed his discovery of an apparent affair.
Andrew Jimenez, a 45-year-old firefighter from Glendale who served with the fire department since 2008, was taken into custody on Wednesday in connection with the killing of his 55-year-old wife, Mayra Jimenez. The shocking incident has sent ripples through both the emergency services and education communities where the couple were known.
Gruesome Discovery at North Hollywood Home
According to law enforcement officials, the tragic sequence of events began in the early hours of Wednesday morning when Jimenez walked into the Los Angeles Police Department's northeast station around 4 a.m. He reportedly asked officers to conduct a welfare check on his wife. When police responded to the couple's residence in North Hollywood, they made a grim discovery.
Officers found Mayra Jimenez with severe blunt force trauma injuries and pronounced her dead at the scene. Investigators later revealed they believe she was repeatedly struck with an axe during the attack. Neighbors described a horrific scene, with one resident, Camille Cabrera, telling local reporters: "I could just hear them talk about how horrific it was... it was just bloody. Next thing you know they found an axe. They said they found an axe."
Possible Motive Revealed Through Diary Entry
Attorney Jose Romero, who has been retained by Jimenez's family, suggested a possible motive for the attack in a statement to authorities. "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 stated. No further details about the alleged diary entry have been released by investigators.
LAPD Robbery and Homicide Lieutenant Guy Golan confirmed the incident appears to be domestic in nature, stating: "From what we've determined, very preliminary at this stage, this was an isolated incident of domestic violence between cohabitating adults. There's no threat to public safety at this time. The individual who is in custody at Northeast Station, we believe, is responsible for the incident."
Victim Remembered as Devoted Educator and Community Figure
Mayra Jimenez was remembered by friends and colleagues as a dedicated professional and community pillar. She worked as a teacher at Wilshire Park Elementary School and served as a union representative with United Teachers Los Angeles. Beyond her educational work, Mayra was also a non-denominational ordained minister who officiated weddings and was known as a devoted Dodgers baseball fan.
Her husband, Andrew Jimenez, had been promoted from paramedic to firefighter during his tenure with the Glendale Fire Department and had helped battle major wildfires including the Palisades Fire. Following his arrest, he was immediately placed on administrative leave pending the outcome of the investigation.
Official Responses and Legal Proceedings
The Glendale Fire Department issued a statement expressing their condolences while confirming their cooperation with investigators: "This is an extremely serious and deeply troubling matter. 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. Due to the active and ongoing nature of the investigation, the City of Glendale and the Glendale Fire Department are unable to provide additional comments at this time."
Court records show Jimenez was formally booked into jail on suspicion of murder and is being held on $2 million bail. The Los Angeles Police Department continues to lead the ongoing investigation into the circumstances surrounding Mayra Jimenez's death.
Neighbor Camille Cabrera expressed the community's shock at the involvement of a public servant in such violence, adding: "He's supposed to be protecting us. What's come of this world?" The case continues to develop as investigators piece together the events leading to the tragic domestic violence incident.
