Milenna Eileen Lopez, a 24-year-old woman from Elyria, OH, tragically passed away on January 6, 2022. She was a mother of four children and worked as a manager at a McDonald's restaurant in Sheffield Village. On the day of her death, she was fatally shot by her ex-boyfriend, James Lavern Kimbrough III, while she was sitting in her vehicle in the restaurant's parking lot. Kimbrough fired five rounds at Lopez, with one of the bullets hitting her arm as she attempted to defend herself.
Unfortunately, she lost consciousness and passed away very quickly after the attack.
The incident was the culmination of a long-term, toxic relationship between Lopez and Kimbrough, during which they had two children together. In the days leading up to her murder, Kimbrough had broken into Lopez's residence and stolen all of her shoes. He had promised to return the shoes during their scheduled meeting at the McDonald's, but instead, he brought a gun. After the shooting, Kimbrough fled from authorities and remained on the run for 101 days before being captured in April 2022.
In January 2024, Kimbrough was sentenced to life in prison for the murder of Milenna Lopez. During the sentencing hearing, Lopez's mother, Jessica Mojica, spoke about the devastating impact her daughter's death had on their family. She described Lopez as a fierce protector and a dedicated worker who always had a beautiful smile and a great sense of humor. The family chose to wear purple shirts, the color of domestic abuse awareness, during the hearing.
The tragic loss of Milenna Lopez has left a lasting impact on her family and friends, who continue to mourn her death and seek justice for her untimely passing.
