On Monday, October 26, 2020, at approximately 4:30 p.m., Santa Ana Police Officers responded to the 600 block of W. Russell Street regarding a report of an unconscious female in a vehicle. Upon arrival, officers located an adult female deceased inside a parked vehicle. The preliminary field investigation revealed that the decedent, later identified as Natalia Gamino Jaimes (57), had been reported missing from the City of Lake Forest on October 22, 2020.
Homicide Detectives responded to the scene and assumed the investigation. The Orange County Coroner’s Office also responded and ruled the death a homicide.
UPDATE:
After an extensive investigation, Homicide Detectives identified the suspect as Jose Valdez Jimenez (58). Detectives served multiple search warrants and attempted to locate Jose; however, he had fled the country. Despite evading capture, detectives maintained communication with Jose via telephone.
In January 2021, during a recorded telephone conversation with a detective, Jose confessed to the murder of Natalia by strangulation. He admitted to driving her body to the City of Santa Ana and leaving her in a parked vehicle. As a result, detectives started the extradition process with U.S. and Mexican authorities.
On May 26, 2021, Jose again telephoned the detective and informed him he was at the Mexican border and was prepared to turn himself in. He was taken into custody without incident and subsequently charged with murder.
On May 15, 2024, Jose stood trial in Orange County Superior Court and was convicted by jury of second-degree murder. He will be sentenced at a future court hearing.
