The last several weeks have been heartbreaking for Eilyn and Ray Jimenez, stars of the HGTV series “Divided by Design,” following the horrifying death of their beloved pup. On October 20, 2025, the Miami-based couple shared a lengthy social media post about losing their 12-year-old Shih Tzu, Aria, while on vacation.
The couple wrote that they were informed Aria “died of a heart attack” while in the care of a sitter they booked through Rover, a website that matches pet owners with pet sitters. When they arrived home two days later, they shared, “the sitter came to our door crying, saying Aria ‘passed peacefully in her sleep.'”
But according to the popular interior designers, records they obtained show that Aria actually died from a brutal attack by a larger dog, that the sitter they hired was never present, and that their dog’s body was cremated before the couple even returned home, without their permission. Thousands of fans and colleagues have rallied around the couple, who want “transparency” and “accountability” for what happened.
HGTV’s Eilyn & Ray Jimenez Say They Have Evidence That Pet Sitter’s Entire Story Was ‘Fabricated’
According to Eilyn and Ray, “every part” of the story they were told after returning home was “fabricated,” including a text they received from someone posing as a veterinarian “claiming Aria had died from a heart attack.”
“Cremation records show Aria’s body was brought in the same day she died — by the sitter’s partner,” they wrote in their post, “with a ‘rush’ request. When the cremation center staff asked what happened, the partner admitted Aria had been killed by a larger dog. They described visible trauma: her scalp detached, one eye bulging — injuries impossible to confuse with a peaceful passing.”
The couple said they also learned the sitter they hired was “never even in Miami,” but in Las Vegas, “competing in a jiu-jitsu tournament … while our dog was left with her partner and around bigger dogs we never approved.”
“We have given them every opportunity to come forward with the truth, yet they continue to hide behind lies,” they continued. “Mistakes can happen. But fabricating a story this elaborate to avoid accountability is not a mistake — it’s deception. Aria deserved better. All we want is the truth, and accountability for the life that was lost.”
In an additional paragraph at the bottom of their joint post, Eilyn and Ray wrote that their accusations are “supported by documented evidence, personal communications, and publicly available material, including booking records, screenshots, and timestamps. All statements reflect our direct experience and verified documentation. This post is not intended to harass, threaten, or defame any individual or business, but to seek transparency and accountability for the events surrounding the death of our dog, Aria.”
Fans & HGTV Stars Flood Eilyn & Ray Jimenez With Support After Tragedy
Eilyn had previously posted, on September 1, about how heartbroken she was over Aria’s death. At the time, she was still under the impression that her beloved died of a heart attack, and on her 36th birthday, no less. She wrote that “a piece of my heart, shaped like her paw, broke the moment I realized her tiny steps would no longer echo on the floor, that her snores that woke us in the night, and the way she always curled up near us would become memories.”
Fans and HGTV colleagues flooded Eilyn with sympathy then, and again with her and Ray’s newest post. In just 16 hours, over 12,000 people had reacted to the post, including leaving more than 2,000 supportive comments.
Former “Married to Real Estate” star Egypt Sherrod wrote, “I am so saddened this happened to your family. I have loved my dogs as if they were my own children. So I simply cannot imagine the pain…. 💔”
“Rock the Block” host Ty Pennington, who recently asked for prayers for his own dog, commented, “I’m so sorry you guys 🥺💔 this is awful”
“Renovation Aloha” stars Tristyn and Kamohai Kalama weighed in, writing, “This is devastating, we are so sorry for your loss 💔”
Many fans expressed hope that the couple will pursue legal action. One wrote, “Heartbreaking! 💔 I’m so so sorry. Aria deserves justice 🙏”
Another exclaimed, “Omg I am so sorry!! This is absolutely gut-wrenching!!🥹🥹🥹 sending prayers for you guys!!! Please get justice for Aria 🙏💖”
Eilyn & Ray,
I am SO SORRY for the loss of your PRECIOUS baby, Aria. Reading your story broke my heart. I will keep you BOTH in my Thoughts and Prayers.