Suspect Pleads Guilty in Shooting Death of Jacqueline Avant

Suspect Aariel Maynor was linked to the Avant fatal shooting after he attempted to rob a Hollywood Hills residence where he shot himself in the foot. Zak Holman / KNN

Los Angeles, CA: A man pleaded guilty Thursday to murdering philanthropist Jacqueline Avant and attempting to kill her security guard during a robbery at her Beverly Hills home in December, announced the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office in a news release.

Suspect Maynor was transported by paramedics to a hospital after a self-inflicted gunshot wound in the Hollywood Hills around an hour after fatally shooting Avant in Beverly Hills. Zak Holman / KNN

Aariel Maynor, 30, 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 two counts of first degree residential burglary with person present. Maynor also admitted an allegation that he used an assault long barrel pistol during the crimes, according to the DA’s Office.

Maynor is scheduled to be sentenced on March 30, 2022, in Los Angeles County Superior Court, Airport Branch. The judge has the discretion to sentence him up to 170 years to life in prison, according to the DA’s Office.

“The crime continues to shock the conscience. Mrs.Avant’s death was a tragic loss felt by our entire community,” District Attorney Gascón said. “In this case, 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 broke into Avant’s Beverly Hills home on December 1, 2021, fatally shot the 81-year-old victim and also shot at a security guard who was not injured. Avant was reported to have died at the hospital. Avant was married to music executive Clarence Avant who was not injured.

Maynor proceeded to a Hollywood Hills residence about an hour after the shooting of Avant where he attempted another residential robbery when he accidentally shot himself in the foot. Beverly Hills Police Department investigating the Avant shooting linked Maynor at the Hollywood Hills incident to the Avant incident. A link to Key News Network coverage of the incident can be found here.

Jacqueline Avant served as president on the Neighbors of Watts, a support group that focused on child care. She was on the board of directors of UCLA’s International Student Center. She was also a member of the board for the Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts.