Thirty-year-old Aariel Maynor pled guilty to first-degree murder for killing Jacqueline Avant, the wife of music executive Clarence Avant, in the couple’s Los Angeles, Calif. home in 2021. Maynor also pled guilty to attempted murder for trying to kill Avant’s security guard on Dec. 1 of last year.
Avant was shot after Maynor broke into the home around 2:25 a.m. in the Beverly Hills’ neighborhood Trousdale Estates. He also shot at the security guard but didn’t wound him. Eighty-one-year-old Avant was taken to the hospital, where she died.
According to the Beverly Hills Police Department, Maynor committed another burglary in the Hollywood Hills on Graciosa Drive an hour later and was caught after accidentally shooting himself in the foot.
Jacqueline Avant was a philanthropist and president of the Neighbors of Watts support group for the South Central Community Child Care Center.
Mrs. Avant also served on the board of directors at UCLA’s International Student Center. Mr. Avant was a Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee in 2021 and is known as “the Black Godfather” of music. The couple’s daughter, Nicole Avant, is married to the CEO of Netflix, Ted Sarandos.
Los Angeles District Attorney George Gascón said Maynor is facing “170 years to life in prison” in a statement released by his office.
“In this case,” he wrote. “The defendant is facing 170 years to life in prison and is ineligible for elderly parole. Our Bureau of Victim Services will continue to be in contact with the family and their representatives to offer trauma-informed services.”
Maynor’s sentencing is scheduled for Mar. 30. He pled guilty to first-degree residential burglary with a person present — two counts, first-degree murder — one count, attempted murder — one count and possession of a firearm by a felon.
“This crime continues to shock the conscience. Mrs. Avant’s death was a tragic loss felt by our entire community,” said Gascón.
