A California couple has been convicted of first-degree murder in the death of the man’s former girlfriend, whom they lured from a bar on St. Patrick’s Day and subsequently killed. Margarita Jimenez, 34, and Jorge Garfias, 38, were found guilty of the murder of 35-year-old Yanelly Vargas, as confirmed by the Ventura County District Attorney’s Office.
The incident unfolded on March 17, 2024, when Garfias received a call from Vargas while he and Jimenez were watching television. Upon hearing a woman’s voice on the other end of the line, Jimenez confronted Garfias, who confessed that he was speaking with Vargas, his ex-girlfriend. Vargas was out celebrating St. Patrick’s Day at a nightclub in Oxnard, approximately 60 miles west of Los Angeles. Jimenez, who testified that she was “fed up with the drama,” suspected that Garfias and Vargas were reigniting their past relationship.
Driven by feelings of anger and betrayal, Jimenez and Garfias decided to confront Vargas. They lured her from the nightclub to Garfias’ truck through text messages. The couple then drove Vargas to an alley in an industrial area where a verbal dispute escalated into physical violence. The couple assaulted Vargas, who managed to escape from the truck and attempted to flee. However, the couple pursued her in Garfias’ truck.
Surveillance footage revealed that Jimenez exited the truck, chased Vargas, and shot her in the chest, causing her death. Jimenez attempted to shoot Vargas a second time, but the gun malfunctioned. The sound of the gunshot prompted nearby residents to call 911. Upon arrival, police discovered Vargas’ body, which bore 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 apprehended by the police approximately two weeks after the murder. A trial focusing on special allegations and aggravating factors is set to commence on Monday.