Days after Eilyn Jimenez revealed that her beloved dog, Aria, died in the care of a pet sitter, and publicly accused the sitter of covering up what really happened, the star of HGTV‘s series “Divided By Design” issued a new statement on October 26, 2025.
In a lengthy message posted in her Instagram Stories, Eilyn thanked everyone who had offered support and love to her and her husband, Ray Jimenez, since they went public with their story of Aria’s shocking death, which quickly went viral.
HGTV’s Eilyn Jimenez Says She’s ‘Endlessly Grateful’ for the Love They’ve Received Since Aria’s Death
HGTVEilyn first posted a photo in her Stories of Ray with their two remaining pups, Baxter and Bentley. In her second Story, she wrote over the faded photo, “These three have been the source of my happiness lately — alongside family, friends, and new faces who’ve shared in the heartbreak of losing Aria.”
“The love she’s received from people around the world,” Eilyn continued, “has been overwhelming and deeply moving. Through tragedy, I’ve seen something beautiful — the world’s capacity for empathy, kindness, and compassion. Aria loved us fiercely, and she deserves to be loved, remembered, and mourned with that same depth.”
Eilyn then wrote that she was “endlessly grateful” for all of the support they’ve received and promised to “return that love however I can,” noting that this experience has “marked” her forever.
“I’ll keep fighting for what’s right — so no one ever endures this kind of pain again,” the interior designer vowed.
HGTV’s Eilyn Jimenez Says She’s Found ‘Beauty Even in Hardship’
GettyCommitted to moving forward despite her heartbreak, Eilyn wrote in her message, “I won’t let the cruelty of others change who I am. I’ll keep being a light, finding joy, making others laugh, and choosing to see beauty even in hardship. Time with our family, our pups, family, and close friends has helped me heal, reflect, and move forward.”
“If you’ve been with me through it all, thank you — I love you,” Eilyn wrote to her fans. “If you’re new here, welcome. You’ve found someone who loves deeply and believes in celebrating all the beauty life gives us.”
“So while this chapter has been painful,” she wrote in her closing, “it’s also reminded me of the goodness that still exists in the world. Aria will always be part of my story, but I’m choosing to live with the same joy and love she gave us every day. Here’s to carrying her light forward — one happy moment at a time.”
Pet Sitter Had HGTV Couple’s Dog Cremated Before They Returned From Vacation
Eilyn and Ray made headlines after revealing on October 20 that while on vacation, they learned that Aria had died at the pet sitter they found via Rover, a website that matches pet owners with pet sitters. When they arrived home two days later, they wrote in their post, “the sitter came to our door crying, saying Aria ‘passed peacefully in her sleep.'”
However, according to records the couple has since obtained, they said Aria actually died from a brutal attack by a larger dog, that the sitter they hired was traveling and left their dogs with an untrained relative, and that Aria’s body was cremated in a “rush” job before they even returned home, without their permission.
“Aria deserved better,” the couple wrote in their joint post. “All we want is the truth, and accountability for the life that was lost.”
Rover Issued a Statement About Aria’s Passing
Rover issued a statement to People Magazine about the incident that said, “Our hearts go out to Mr. and Mrs. Jimenez as they mourn the loss of Aria. Many of us at Rover are pet parents ourselves, and we can only imagine the heartbreak Aria’s family is going through. Upon learning of this incident, Rover’s 24/7 Trust & Safety team conducted a thorough investigation into Aria’s passing.”
The statement continued, “The sitter involved has been deactivated from our platform without the option to appeal, meaning she cannot communicate or book new stays with pet parents via Rover. We stand ready to assist law enforcement with their investigation should they become involved. Our team has been in contact with Mrs. Jimenez to offer her support during this challenging time.”
Calling the situation “truly heartbreaking,” Rover’s statement said the company is “taking Aria’s passing extremely seriously” and noted that in the “rare event something goes wrong” with one of the pet sitters in its system, the company offers “24/7 support from our dedicated Trust & Safety team, access to advice from qualified veterinary professionals, and protection under the Rover Guarantee, which provides up to $25,000 in reimbursement for eligible vet claims.”
The first season of Eilyn and Ray’s “Divided By Design” finished airing in early 2025 and they later appeared as judges on “Rock the Block.” HGTV has not announced whether their show will return for a second season.
