Arrest made in 2014 murder of Oxnard father stabbed near elementary school

Genetic genealogy evidence helped investigators identify suspect Jose Jimenez in the killing of Labh Nigah, a 55-year-old father of three.

Apr. 7, 2026 at 12:05am

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An extreme close-up of a single bloodied knife blade, the harsh flash lighting creating a stark, gritty, investigative aesthetic that conceptually represents the violent crime at the center of this news story.A brutal stabbing near an elementary school exposes lingering fears about random violence in this Oxnard neighborhood.Oxnard Today

Ventura County officials announced the arrest of 32-year-old Oxnard resident Jose Jimenez in the 2014 murder of Labh Nigah, a 55-year-old father of three who was stabbed near his son's elementary school in Oxnard, California. Investigators say scientific evidence, including genetic genealogy, led them to Jimenez, who lived near the crime scene at the time.

Why it matters

The arrest in this long-unsolved cold case highlights the growing use of genetic genealogy to crack difficult homicide investigations, even years after the crime occurred. The random nature of the attack on Nigah as he walked home from his son's school has also raised concerns in the Oxnard community about public safety.

The details

On the morning of November 13, 2014, Labh Nigah had just walked his son to school when he was ambushed and stabbed multiple times in a neighborhood park next to the elementary school. Emergency responders pronounced Nigah dead at the scene. Last Thursday, investigators arrested 32-year-old Jose Jimenez at his Oxnard home and charged him with Nigah's murder.

  • On November 13, 2014, Labh Nigah was stabbed to death near his son's elementary school in Oxnard.
  • On April 6, 2026, investigators arrested Jose Jimenez and charged him with Nigah's murder.

The players

Jose Jimenez

A 32-year-old Oxnard resident who has been charged with the 2014 murder of Labh Nigah.

Labh Nigah

A 55-year-old father of three who was stabbed to death in 2014 near his son's elementary school in Oxnard, California.

Arshneel Kaur

The victim's daughter, who expressed shock and disbelief upon learning of the arrest in her father's long-unsolved murder case.

Harleen Kaur

The oldest daughter of Labh Nigah, who shared that she will never hear her father tell her he is proud of her again.

Jason Benites

The Oxnard police chief who provided details on the initial response and investigation into Nigah's murder.

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What they’re saying

“I am still in a state of shock.”

— Arshneel Kaur, Victim's daughter

“I'm never going to hear my dad ever tell me that he is proud of me.”

— Harleen Kaur, Victim's oldest daughter

What’s next

Jimenez is due back in court on April 28 to be arraigned on the murder charges. Investigators say they have not yet identified a motive for the random attack on Nigah.

The takeaway

This arrest highlights the growing use of genetic genealogy to solve cold cases, even years after a crime occurs. However, the random nature of Nigah's murder has also raised concerns in the Oxnard community about public safety and the need for continued vigilance, especially around schools and neighborhoods.