Firefighter Detained In Bludgeoning Death Of Wife In LA County

NORTH HOLLYWOOD, CA — A Glendale firefighter has been detained in connection to the death of his wife, who was found bludgeoned inside a North Hollywood home, according to authorities.

Fox 11 reported that police first responded to the scene after the woman's firefighter husband flagged down officers near the LAPD's Northeast Station on San Fernando Road in Glassell Park and asked them to conduct a welfare check on his wife. He told police he had been unable to reach her.

Officers responded to the 5600 block of Satsuma Avenue, just east of the intersection of Vineland Avenue and Burbank Boulevard in North Hollywood, at around 5:30 a.m. Inside the home, they found a woman who was pronounced dead at the scene, KTLA reported.

The woman, in her 50s, had injuries consistent with what appeared to be blunt force trauma. Authorities believe she may have been bludgeoned to death; they found an axe at the scene, Fox 11 reported.

The Glendale City Manager's Office confirmed that the man, whose name was not immediately released, is with the Glendale Fire Department.

"The Glendale Fire Department has been notified by the Los Angeles Police Department that an off-duty member of the department has been detained in connection with an active homicide investigation in the North Hollywood area," the city manager's statement read. "LAPD is the lead investigating agency and the matter is ongoing."

An LAPD spokesman told Patch that a suspect has been arrested in connection with the woman's death, but could not confirm whether it was the firefighter.

Later on Wednesday, Glendale officials described the situation as "an active homicide investigation being conducted by the Los Angeles Police Department involving a member of the Glendale Fire Department."

City officials identified the man as Andrew Jimenez, a firefighter and paramedic who has worked for the Glendale Fire Department since 2008. Jimenez has been placed on administrative leave, officials said.

“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.”

City News Service contributed to this report.