Bride Found Murdered in Wedding Dress—Husband Caught After 13 Years on the Run!

For over a decade, a heartbreaking mystery remained unsolved—who took the life of Estrella Carrera, a beautiful bride found dead in her wedding dress just hours after saying, “I do.” Now, nearly 13 years later, her husband, Arnoldo Jimenez, has been arrested in Mexico, bringing a long-awaited break in the case.

Back in May 2012, Estrella, a 26-year-old mother of two, had just married Jimenez. It should have been the happiest time of her life. But less than two days after tying the knot, her body was discovered in the bathtub of her apartment in Burbank, Illinois. She was still wearing her silver wedding dress. The shocking crime sent waves of grief through her family and left investigators on the hunt for her killer.

Authorities later revealed that Jimenez, then 30, allegedly stabbed his new wife at least 18 times inside his Maserati before dragging her body inside the apartment and leaving it in the tub. He vanished soon after, sparking a nationwide manhunt.

Jimenez was charged with first-degree murder just days after the crime, and a warrant was issued for his arrest. But for years, he remained out of reach—until now. On January 31, 2025, FBI officials confirmed that Jimenez had been captured in Monterrey, Mexico. He was taken into custody without a fight and is now awaiting extradition to the U.S. to face justice.

Estrella’s tragic story became even more heartbreaking when it was revealed that she had not told many people about her wedding. Her family only realized something was terribly wrong when she didn’t show up to pick up her children—her 9-year-old daughter and 2-year-old son. Worried, her sister called the police, who then made the devastating discovery.

For years, law enforcement never gave up on the case. The FBI even put up a reward—first offering $100,000 in 2019 and later raising it to $250,000 in 2023—for any information leading to Jimenez’s arrest. The persistence paid off. Thanks to the cooperation of U.S. and Mexican authorities, along with the help of the public, Jimenez is finally in custody, and Estrella’s loved ones may soon see justice served.

As the legal process unfolds, one thing remains clear: Estrella’s life was stolen in a senseless act of violence, but she has never been forgotten. Her story is a tragic reminder of the dangers of domestic violence, and it highlights the importance of seeking help when in danger.

If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic abuse, help is available. You can reach the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233 or visit thehotline.org. The service is confidential, free, and available 24/7 in multiple languages.