Arnoldo Jimenez, who had eluded capture for over 12 years after the tragic stabbing death of his wife Estrella Carrera on their wedding night, was apprehended without incident on January 30, 2025, in Monterrey, Mexico. The FBI’s Chicago field office announced his capture, stating it was the result of intensive collaboration between various law enforcement agencies.
Estrella Carrera, 26, was discovered lifeless in the bathtub of her Burbank, Illinois, apartment just two days after her marriage to Jimenez, which took place on May 11, 2012. Her family became concerned when she failed to pick up her two children the day after the wedding, prompting them to request a well-being check from the police. Once officers arrived at her residence, they found her body still adorned in the silver sequined cocktail dress she had worn at the wedding celebration.
According to the Cook County Medical Examiner, Carreras’s death was determined to be homicide due to multiple stab wounds. Police reported they believed Jimenez had stabbed her inside his black, four-door 2006 Maserati before transporting her body back to her apartment. The timeline of events leading to Carrera’s death reveals the couple had hastily tied the knot at City Hall, enjoyed dinner with family, and then partied at their wedding reception.
Shortly after the wedding, Jimenez was placed on the FBI’s Ten Most Wanted Fugitives list, cementing him as the 522nd person on this notorious list since its inception. Investigators established state and federal warrants shortly after Carrera’s death, citing his unlawful flight to avoid prosecution. Despite many attempts to locate him, Jimenez managed to evade capture for over a decade.
On the night of the murder, Jimenez called his sister and claimed he had left his wife bleeding after what he described as a “bad fight,” which raised red flags for investigators. Subsequent investigations also uncovered his prior history of domestic violence, with reports of his possessiveness and jealousy over Carrera, making their relationship contentious even before marriage.
Jimenez's whereabouts remained unknown until he was apprehended last week. His arrest was made possible through coordinated efforts involving the FBI Chicago, FBI San Antonio, Mexico's Fiscalía General de la República (FGR), Interpol, and various law enforcement partners from the United States and Mexico. Doug DePodesta, the special agent in charge of the FBI's Chicago office, commended the collaborative efforts, stating, "The FBI will use all of its available resources to bring criminals to justice, no matter how much time has passed or where they may be in the world." This sentiment was echoed by Deputy Chief William Casey of the Burbank Police Department, who noted the professionalism and dedication of all those involved, emphasizing the relentless pursuit of justice for Estrella Carrera and her family.
Now facing extradition proceedings, Arnoldo Jimenez's capture has rekindled interest not only due to the heinous nature of the alleged crime but also because of the extensive manhunt backdrop over the last twelve years. With the assistance of the public and extensive investigation efforts, Jimenez's arrest is considered a significant victory for law enforcement.
Jimenez's apprehension serves as a reminder to criminals who believe they can escape justice. Each fugitive on the FBI’s Ten Most Wanted list is pursued relentlessly, and the FBI, along with its local partners, committed to leveraging every tool at their disposal to hold these offenders accountable.
While Jimenez’s next steps are pending, with extradition to the U.S. imminent, his story adds another chapter to the FBI's enduring mission to uphold justice, piecing together the lives destroyed by violent acts and ensuring accountability where it is deserved.