Villa Park man gets 55 years for murdering girlfriend

A man has been sentenced to 55 years in prison for killing his girlfriend in Villa Park.

Anthony Jimenez, 28, of the 1600 block of South Michigan Avenue, Villa Park, was sentenced Thursday by DuPage County Judge Mia McPherson.

He pleaded guilty May 8 to first-degree murder in the killing of 24-year-old Jessica Reyes.

Police were called to a domestic disturbance at 10:50 a.m. July 17, 2024, in the 16700 block of South Michigan. The caller, later identified as Jimenez, told the dispatcher, “I stabbed my girlfriend in the neck.”

The two had started arguing around 8 a.m. She left the third-floor apartment by climbing down from the balcony because he was blocking the door, authorities said.

They then spoke in the parking lot and went back into the apartment together so Reyes could collect her belongings, authorities said.

Jimenez stabbed her in the neck, face, arms, chest and hands, and stopped only when his mother entered the room, according to authorities.

Jimenez must serve 100% of his sentence before being eligible for parole.

ssarkauskas@dailyherald.com