Flowers and candles lined the sidewalk of a Koreatown elementary school, where dozens of people gathered on Friday to mourn the loss of a teacher who was killed allegedly by her firefighter husband.
Mayra Jimenez, 46, a beloved teacher from Wilshire Park Elementary School, was dedicated, patient and a model educator, according to those who spoke at a vigil held at the school where she worked. Tears were shed, mourners embraced one another and stories were exchanged from both colleagues and students who were impacted by the late teacher.
“I didn’t even want to come to school because I wanted to see my teacher, but I already know that she’s in my heart,” said Benjamin Maical, who was a student in Jimenez’s current class.
Students said they loved Jimenez’s ability to make learning fun and accessible to them, while her colleagues and students’ parents admired the genuine passion for teaching she had.
“She was an amazing teacher,” said David Lopez, a parent. “She was the epitome of what a teacher is supposed to be.”
Jimenez was killed earlier this week due to multiple blunt force trauma, according to the Los Angeles Fire Department.
Parents and staff at Wilshire Park Elementary are mourning the death of a beloved third-grade teacher. Keenan Willard reports for the NBC4 News at 4 p.m. on Jan. 22, 2025.
The woman’s husband, 45-year-old Andrew Jimenez, approached officers at a police station on Wednesday seeking a welfare check on his wife. When officers arrived at the couple’s North Hollywood home early that morning, they found Mayra dead. Andrew, who was a firefighter and paramedic with the Glendale Fire Department, was arrested and charged with murder with an allegation of using an axe as a deadly weapon.
The victim’s loved ones are now left coping with losing her in such a violent way.
“Ms. Jimenez, I never got to say thank you in person. Thank you for standing up for our teachers,” said Tracy Park, a parent.
Andrew Jimenez faces up to 26 years to life in prison if convicted.