A California couple, Margarita Jimenez, 34, and Jorge Garfias, 38, have been found guilty of first-degree murder in the death of Garfias’ ex-girlfriend, 35-year-old Yanelly Vargas. The verdict was confirmed by the Ventura County District Attorney’s Office.
The tragic incident took place on St. Patrick’s Day in 2024. Garfias received a call from Vargas while he and Jimenez were at home. Upon hearing a woman’s voice, Jimenez confronted Garfias, who admitted he was speaking with Vargas, his former girlfriend. Vargas was out celebrating St. Patrick’s Day at a nightclub in Oxnard, about 60 miles west of Los Angeles. Jimenez, who testified that she was “tired of the drama,” suspected that Garfias and Vargas were rekindling their past relationship.
Motivated by feelings of anger and betrayal, Jimenez and Garfias decided to confront Vargas. They enticed her from the nightclub to Garfias’ truck using text messages. The couple then transported Vargas to an alley in an industrial area where a verbal altercation escalated into physical violence. The couple attacked Vargas, who managed to escape from the truck and tried to run away. However, the couple chased her in Garfias’ truck.
Surveillance footage showed that Jimenez got out of the truck, pursued Vargas, and shot her in the chest, resulting in her death. Jimenez attempted to shoot Vargas a second time, but the gun jammed. The sound of the gunshot alerted nearby residents who called 911. Upon arrival, police found Vargas’ body, which showed signs of blunt force trauma, strangulation, and a gunshot wound.
Evidence at the crime scene included a blood trail, a spent 9 mm shell casing, and acrylic nails linked to Jimenez. A blood-stained yellow rope was also found near the victim. The couple was arrested by the police approximately two weeks after the murder. A trial focusing on special allegations and aggravating factors is set to begin on Monday.