Firefighter Allegedly Confesses to Axe Murder of Wife Following Diary Discovery
A firefighter in North Hollywood, Los Angeles, has been arrested and charged with the brutal murder of his wife, allegedly committing the act in a fit of rage after reading her personal diary. Andrew Jimenez, aged 45, is accused of bludgeoning his wife, Mayra Jimenez, 55, to death at their home in the early hours of Wednesday morning.
Gruesome Details and Alleged Confession
According to police reports, Jimenez allegedly attacked his wife with an axe, striking her multiple times before she succumbed to her injuries. Shockingly, he then placed a call to the authorities at approximately 4:30 a.m., requesting a welfare check on his spouse. Upon arrival, officers discovered the horrific scene and promptly took Jimenez into custody. He has since been booked into the county jail, with bail set at a substantial $2 million.
Lawyer Points to Diary as Motive
In a statement released to the press, Jimenez's attorney, Jose Romero, asserted that the murder was precipitated by his client's discovery of evidence within the pages of Mayra's diary. Romero claimed that the diary entries verified infidelity on the part of the deceased, suggesting this revelation triggered the violent outburst. "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. However, the Los Angeles Police Department's homicide detectives have not publicly confirmed the existence of such a diary or any allegations of infidelity, leaving the veracity of this claim unverified at this stage.
Victim Remembered as Dedicated Educator
Mayra Jimenez was a beloved and respected teacher at Wilshire Park Elementary School and an active member of United Teachers Los Angeles. Colleagues, parents, and the union have expressed profound grief and paid tribute to her unwavering commitment to her students. Karen Chacon, a parent at the school, described Mayra as "a woman who fought fiercely for her students and her coworkers, who made sure every child was seen, and who gave my daughter a voice." She recounted how Mayra went above and beyond, creating a personalised learning programme for a student facing health challenges, exemplifying her dedication. United Teachers Los Angeles added, "Mayra's love for her students was paramount. Mayra always led by example and fought for the betterment of the entire LAUSD community." Beyond her teaching role, Mayra was also an ordained non-denominational minister, officiating weddings through Terri Ties the Knot Weddings.
Suspect's Background and Investigation
Andrew Jimenez had been a paramedic for sixteen years before recently qualifying as a firefighter for the Glendale Fire Department in June 2024. He had even participated in battling the dangerous Palisades Fire in January 2025. The Glendale Fire Department issued a statement acknowledging the investigation, expressing condolences to the victim's family and emphasising the seriousness of the matter. Police were seen conducting a thorough search of the couple's home, a unit within a larger 3,303-square-foot property containing multiple residences. Officers were observed carrying rifles and other potential evidence to police vehicles. LAPD Lieutenant Guy Golan indicated that the incident is being treated as an isolated case of domestic violence between cohabiting adults, with no current threat to public safety. "From what we've determined, very preliminarily at this stage, this was an isolated incident of domestic violence between cohabitating adults," Golan said. "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." The investigation remains ongoing as authorities work to piece together the full sequence of events leading to this tragic loss of life.
