Following a month’s long investigation into the suspicious death of 16-year-old Josephine Jimenez, Madera County Sheriff’s Detectives took 19-year-old Oceanside resident Codi Slayton into custody earlier today for charges of first-degree murder.

On October 22, 2019 shortly before 10:30 a.m, the Madera County Sheriff’s Office received a call for service reporting a possible deceased individual who was located at a rural agricultural property in the southern part of Madera County.

Upon arrival at the scene, deputies located 16-year-old Josephine Jimenez deceased.

Due to the disposition of the body, the incident was handled as a suspicious death and Detectives responded to the location.

Madera County Sheriff’s Detectives immediately launched a comprehensive investigation into the circumstances surrounding Josephine’s death. In December of 2019, Detectives were contacted by the Naval Criminal Investigative Service.

During their investigation into an independent manner, NCIS investigators identified a subject who they believed may be connected with the case.

MCSO Detectives promptly traveled to interview the subject, 19-year-old Codi Slayton, in Oceanside, CA.

Following an interview with Detectives, Slayton was taken into custody by NCIS on unrelated charges.

Based on information received from his interview with MCSO Detectives, as well as evidence discovered during additional follow up investigation, Codi John Slayton was taken into custody by Madera County Sheriff’s Detectives.

Codi was subsequently transported and booked at the Madera County Department of Corrections for felony first-degree murder, where he remains in custody on a $1 million dollar bond.

During the course of the investigation, it was determined that Slayton used various social media applications to generate and maintain communication not only with Josephine, but with young girls throughout California, and possibly other regions of the United States.

Police ask anyone who may have had online communication with Codi Slayton to please contact their office.

To speak directly with a Detective, you may call Det. Cpl. Noland (559) 232-8753 or Det. Gutierrez (559) 514-5869. Our Communications Center may be reached 24/7 at (559) 675-7770.

Tips may be emailed to mcsotip@maderacounty.com. Anonymous tips may be made through Valley Crime Stoppers at (559) 498- STOP (7867), or by texting “Tip MaderaSO” followed by your message to 888777.

The Madera County Sheriff’s Office would like to extend their gratitude to the Naval Criminal Investigative Service, the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation for their collaboration and professional courtesy throughout this investigation.