Slain Teacher's Firefighter Husband Suspected Of Murdering Her After Reading Her Diary

NORTH HOLLYWOOD, CA — The firefighter husband of a woman who was found bludgeoned to death on Wednesday has been arrested on suspicion of murder, according to authorities.

Andrew Jimenez, 45, is being held on $2 million bail in connection to the killing of his wife, 55-year-old Mayra Jimenez, according to the Los Angeles Police Department. Jimenez, a firefighter and paramedic for the Glendale Fire Department, has been placed on administrative leave, city officials said.

Jimenez walked in to 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, according to the LAPD.

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 that 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.