Glendale Firefighter Accused Of Killing Wife At North Hollywood Home Charged: DA

NORTH HOLLYWOOD, CA — A Glendale firefighter paramedic accused of killing his wife at their North Hollywood home earlier this week has been charged, prosecutors announced Friday.

Andrew Jimenez, 45, was charged with one count of murder with an allegation of using an axe as a deadly weapon in connection with the death of his wife, the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office said.

"The domestic violence death of Mayra Jimenez is a devastating reminder of the persistent scourge of intimate partner violence in our communities,” District Attorney Nathan J. Hochman said in a written statement. “No one, including those sworn to protect others, is above the law, and we will hold the defendant accountable for this horrific crime and bring justice to Ms. Jimenez and her loved ones.”

Jimenez, a firefighter and paramedic for the Glendale Fire Department, has been placed on administrative leave, city officials said.

Jimenez walked into the LAPD's Northeast Community Police Station on San Fernando Road in Glassell Park at around 4 a.m. Wednesday and asked that officers conduct a welfare check on his wife at their home on the 5600 block of Satsuma Avenue in North Hollywood, the Los Angeles Police Department said.

In conducting the welfare check, police entered the couple's home to find Mayra Jimenez dead with injuries consistent with blunt force trauma, police said.

"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," the LAPD said.

Authorities found an axe at the scene, ABC 7 reported.

Glendale city officials on Wednesday said Jimenez has worked for the Glendale Fire Department since 2008.

“Our condolences are with the victim’s family and loved ones,” Glendale fire 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.”

Friends of Mayra Jimenez described her as a "caring educator" who was a union representative with United Teachers Los Angeles, KTLA reported. She was also a non-denominational ordained minister who officiated weddings, ABC 7 reported.

In a statement to media outlets, Andrew Jimenez's attorney suggested he found out his wife was having an affair.

“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," the attorney told KTLA.

Andrew Jimenez, who is being held on $2 million bail, was scheduled to appear in court for arraignment Friday afternoon, according to prosecutors.

If Andrew Jimenez is convicted as charged, he could face 26 years to life in prison, prosecutors said.

Chris Lindahl contributed to this report.