Suspect Pleads Guilty to Murdering Jacqueline Avant

The man accused of fatally shooting 81-year-old philanthropist Jacqueline Avant has pleaded guilty to murder.

On Thursday, Los Angeles County District Attorney George Gascón announced that suspect Aariel Maynor of Los Angeles entered an open plea to one count each of first-degree murder, attempted murder, and possession of a firearm by a felon, as well as an open plea to two counts of first-degree residential burglary with person present, and admitted an allegation that he used an assault long barrel pistol during the crimes.

The charges are related to Avant’s December 1 death in which a gunman allegedly broke into Avant’s Beverly Hills house and fatally shot her and attempted to kill her security guard.

“This crime continues to shock the conscience. Mrs. Avant’s death was a tragic loss felt by our entire community,” District Attorney Gascón said in a news release.

“In this case, the defendant is facing 170 years to life in prison and is ineligible for elderly parole,” he continued. “Our Bureau of Victim Services will continue to be in contact with the family and their representatives to offer trauma-informed services.”

Per People, Maynor is scheduled to be sentenced on March 30 in Department W31 of the Los Angeles County Superior Court, Airport Branch.

The day after Avant was killed, Maynor was arrested after reportedly accidentally shooting himself in the foot while allegedly breaking into another house in the Hollywood Hills.

Per TMZ, Maynor has an extensive criminal record dating back to 2013 and has done time for robbery and grand theft. He also reportedly got probation for a domestic violence case.

Avant — the wife of music executive Clarence Avant, known as the “godfather of Black music” — once modeled in the Ebony Fashion Fair; served as president of the Neighbors of Watts, a support group that focused on childcare; and was on the board of directors of UCLA’s International Student Center.