A Mexican man accused of killing his wife on their wedding night in Illinois has been returned to the United States after more than a decade on the run, the FBI said Thursday.
Arnoldo Jimenez was transferred back to the U.S. more than a year after Mexican authorities arrested him on Jan. 30, 2025, in Monterrey, Mexico, in coordination with American law enforcement officials.
Jimenez had been listed among the FBI’s Most Wanted fugitives. At the time of his arrest, authorities said he was the fourth-most wanted fugitive in the country.
He is being returned to face charges tied to the 2012 killing of his wife, which investigators allege took place on the couple’s wedding night.
In a statement posted Thursday on X, the FBI called his return a significant development for its Chicago field office.
“Thursday marks an important milestone for [FBI Chicago] — our personnel have successfully brought back FBI Most Wanted fugitive Arnoldo Jimenez from Mexico,” the agency said. “No matter how much time has passed or where a criminal may be in the world, the FBI will never stop in our pursuit of justice.”
Arnoldo Jimenez in FBI custody upon being sent back to the United States to face charges in the 2012 slaying of his wife. (FBI)
Authorities said Jimenez killed Estrella Carrera, 26, on their wedding night. Her body was found in the bathtub of her Burbank, Illinois, apartment on May 13, 2012, less than 48 hours after the couple married.
Jimenez was charged with first-degree murder, and a state warrant was issued for his arrest on May 15, 2012. A federal warrant was issued two days later after Jimenez was charged federally with unlawful flight to avoid prosecution.
Authorities have not disclosed a motive for the killing or a date for his first court appearance.
