FBI Joins Manhunt for Missing Groom in Burbank Bride Slaying

The FBI has joined an international manhunt for a missing bridegroom after his new wife was found slain in their Burbank apartment hours after they were married last weekend.

A federal warrant charging Arnoldo Jiminez, 30, with unlawful flight to avoid prosecution was issued Thursday in U.S. District Court in Chicago. Jiminez was charged earlier this week in Cook County Criminal Court with one count of first- degree murder for the stabbing death of his 26-year-old wife, Estrella Carrera. (Read the federal warrant.)

According to the Burbank police report, the couple was hastily married last Friday, May 11, at Chicago City Hall. Afterward, the couple dined at a Chicago restaurant with a small group of family and friends, before boarding a party limo. The wedding party ended the night at a club on the city’s North Side before returning to the southwest suburbs. Jiminez and Carrera were last seen around 4 a.m. Saturday, May 12. (Read the Burbank Police report.)

The next day, when Carerra did not show up at a family member’s home to pick up her children, ages 2 and 8, the relative contacted Burbank Police to conduct a well-being check. Jiminez is the father of the couple's 2-year-old child.

Police found Carerra dead of multiple stab wounds in the bathtub of her apartment on Rutherford Avenue in Burbank around 4:30 p.m. May 13. She was still wearing the silver sequined dress that she had been married in. Burbank Police described her slaying as a “brutal killing," reports said.

Jiminez had prior arrests for domestic abuse, though not with Carerra. Those close to the couple said there had been incidents of violence the past few years, though Carerra had never filed a complaint against Jiminez.

Jiminez is said to be driving a black, 2006 Maserati with the Illinois license plate number L641441.

According to the federal warrant, Jiminez had contacted his sister, telling her that he had a “bad fight” with Carrera and left her bleeding. He had another conversation with someone described as a “close associate.” Jiminez said he was leaving Illinois and if questioned by police, to tell law enforcement that he was going to Mexico.

Records place the last location where Jiminez’s cell phone was tracked in Hildalgo, TX, near the Mexican border at 10:45 p.m. May 13.

Jiminez is described as being six feet tall, weighing 220 pounds, with black hair and brown eyes.

Anyone with information on the whereabouts of Jiminez is asked to call Burbank Police at 708-924-7300.

The young mother’s slaying has warranted a combined investigation by Burbank Police, the South Suburban Major Crimes Task Force, Cook County Sheriff’s Office and the Chicago FBI.