1. Orange County man convicted murder friend Santa Ana
2. Santa Ana man convicted killing friend Orange County.
Accident – Death – Obituary News : A man was found guilty this week for the murder of a woman in Santa Ana, California. The suspect, who had fled to Mexico, turned himself in at the border and was extradited back to Orange County to face trial.
The incident took place on October 26, 2020, when Santa Ana Police Officers responded to a report of an unconscious female in a vehicle on the 600 block of W. Russell Street. Upon arrival, they discovered the body of 57-year-old Natalia Gamino Jaimes inside the parked vehicle. Jaimes had been reported missing from the City of Lake Forest on October 22, 2020.
Investigations revealed that Jaimes and the suspect, Jose Valdez Jimenez, had previously worked together as janitors and had remained in contact even after parting ways. A conflict arose between them when Jaimes’ daughter, Alejandra Gamino, discovered that Jimenez had picked up her son from school without her knowledge. Jaimes confronted Jimenez, leading to a heated argument.
Subsequent events unfolded with Jimenez repeatedly trying to contact Jaimes, eventually leading to a fatal encounter in Jaimes’ garage. Evidence of a struggle, including broken nails, blood on Jaimes’ hand, and clumps of her hair in the car, indicated a violent confrontation. An autopsy revealed that Jaimes had suffered a fractured neck cartilage, consistent with strangulation.
Following an extensive investigation and multiple search warrants, Jimenez was identified as the prime suspect. Despite fleeing the country, detectives maintained contact with him through phone calls. In January 2021, Jimenez confessed to the murder during a recorded conversation with a detective, admitting to driving Jaimes’ body to Santa Ana and leaving it in a parked vehicle.
In a surprising turn of events, Jimenez contacted the detective in May 2021, revealing his presence at the Mexican border and his willingness to surrender. He was arrested without incident and charged with murder. The trial took place on May 15, 2024, resulting in Jimenez’s conviction for second-degree murder. He awaits sentencing in Orange County Superior Court.
The outcome of this case serves as a reminder of the tragic consequences of unresolved conflicts and the importance of seeking legal recourse in such situations. Justice has been served for Natalia Gamino Jaimes, bringing closure to her family and loved ones..
1. Orange County man convicted Santa Ana murder leaving body Santa Ana
2. Orange County man convicted murdering friend leaving body Santa Ana.
