HGTV 'Divided by Design' stars claim beloved pet dog died and was cremated by pet sitter

HGTV “Divided by Design” stars Ray and Eilyn Jimenez took to social media with a warning for pet owners.

The couple explained in a lengthy Instagram post that their beloved pet dog, Aria, died under the care of a pet sitter who they allege lied about what happened and cremated the dog to hide the truth.

“If you think your pet is safe with your pet sitter, think again,” they wrote, noting they used to Rover app to hire a pet sitter in Miami.

When they returned home after two days, they allege the pet sitter “came to our door crying, saying Aria ‘passed peacefully in her sleep.’ She told us a ‘vet friend named Nicole’ had confirmed it and even texted us under that name, claiming Aria had died from a heart attack.”

“Every part of that story was fabricated,” the couple claim.

According to records they obtained, the pet sitter’s partner actually cared for the dog and allegedly told the staff at the cremation center that 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.”

Per the Jimenez’s investigation, the pet sitter they hired was actually in Las Vegas at a jiu-jitsu tournament and Aria was left with their partner and allowed around other dogs they never approved of, and the claim that a veterinarian friend was involved was also false.

“We have given them every opportunity to come forward with the truth, yet they continue to hide behind lies. Mistakes can happen. But fabricating a story this elaborate to avoid accountability is not a mistake — it’s deception,” they wrote. “Aria deserved better. All we want is the truth, and accountability for the life that was lost.”

Rover, the company they hired the pet sitter through, issued a statement to People Magazine about the incident "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.”

They continued, "Upon learning of this incident, Rover's 24/7 Trust & Safety team conducted a thorough investigation into Aria's passing. 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."

Their statement concluded: "Safety is a top priority at Rover, and we are taking Aria's passing extremely seriously. In the rare event something goes wrong during a booking, Rover offers several safety features, including 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. This incident is truly heartbreaking, but safety incidents on our platform are extremely rare. For context, over 40 million stays have been booked by pet parents in the US, with more than 98% of reviewed stays receiving five stars."