VENTURA, Calif. (TCN) — A couple was recently convicted of luring the boyfriend’s former girlfriend outside a bar before beating and killing her.
According to a Sept. 5 news release from the Ventura County District Attorney’s Office, a jury found Margarita Jimenez and Jorge Garfias guilty of the first-degree murder of Yanelly Vargas and not guilty of kidnapping the victim.
On March 17, 2024, the Oxnard Police Department responded to a fight between a man and woman outside a business. Prosecutors said a gunshot was heard during the 911 call. Responding officers discovered 30-year-old Vargas unresponsive with a gunshot wound, and she was transported to Ventura County Medical Center, where she died.
Upon further investigation, authorities determined that Garfias, the victim’s ex-boyfriend, had sent Vargas text messages to lure her outside of a bar. Garfias and his new girlfriend, Jimenez, reportedly brought Vargas to an alley and beat her. Vargas allegedly tried to get away, but Garfias and Jimenez followed her in a truck. According to the district attorney’s office, Jimenez exited the truck, ran after Vargas, and shot her once in the chest. She allegedly tried to shoot her again before driving away with Garfias.
Authorities searched the scene and discovered “a blood trail, a spent 9 mm shell casing, and acrylic nails that were later matched to Jimenez at the time of her arrest.” Investigators also reportedly located a bloodstained yellow rope near Vargas. An autopsy revealed Vargas died from a gunshot wound and sustained blunt force injuries, and she showed signs of strangulation.
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