'A hole in our hearts': Family of slain Milwaukee woman demand justice, 1 man charged

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- It's been nearly three weeks since 59-year-old Jeanette Jimenez of Milwaukee was shot and killed for trying to be a good Samaritan and de-escalate a domestic violence dispute, according to loved ones.

Police said the homicide happened near 15th and Becher where Jimenez lived, around 8 p.m. on Jan. 26.

Since her death, dozens attended a vigil at the scene, holding a balloon release in honor of the deceased.

Now, one man, identified as 21-year-old Darren Williams, is being charged with first-degree intentional homicide. 

Jeanette's older brother, Raul Jimenez, and her younger sister who did not want to be identified by name, spoke with CBS 58's Ellie Nakamoto-White on Sunday, Feb. 12, about who their sibling was and the hole she leaves behind in their hearts.

“It’s hard to believe that one minute you’re alive and vibrant and laughing and next minute you’re no longer here," Jimenez said. "[She] lived life on her own terms. She loved to help people and was always willing to lend a hand. She always wanted to be the one to save the day."

It was that innate instinct that led to Jimenez's death, as family believe she was trying to help her upstairs neighbor during a domestic violence incident.

“Every time I close my eyes, I see her. I’m picturing her going up the stairs," her sister said. 

Jimenez thinks Jeanette could hear who he believes to be Williams, "slapping [neighbor] around and she's six months pregnant and she's like, 'oh no, not on my watch.'"

"So, she went upstairs to try to stop it and that's when he turned around and shot her six times like a dog, like an animal, like she didn't matter," Raul Jimenez said. "She didn't deserve that. I mean, actually nobody deserves that."

Her sister said it's hard for her to fall asleep and the entire family is grieving the loss.

“My family’s hurt. We’re all angry because you took a real good person's life that didn’t deserve to die," she said. 'I'm mad. I can't hate nobody, but I just pray to the God up above that justice be done."

Raul Jimenez agreed, adding that this "is a tragedy all around."

“We’re not going to celebrate his conviction," Jimenez said. "Nobody’s happy that he’s caught. We’re relieved that he’s not out there running around causing more problems or hurting more people."

Loved ones are now urging the community to "put the guns down" and stop the violence epidemic in Milwaukee's streets before others get hurt.

They're also seeking justice for a life they said was unfairly taken.

“The only comfort that I find is that he will never forget the name Jeanette Jimenez. That name is going to be a part of his life until the day he dies," Raul Jimenez said. “She said to me, 'well I love you too bro,' and that was the last thing I ever said to her, was, 'I love you' and I will for the rest of my life.”