Woman jailed in murder of man whose body was found by new homeowners

SIMI VALLEY, Calif. (KABC) -- Mary Karacas, 75, was jailed on a murder charge after new homeowners in Simi Valley found the body of a man left behind in one of the bedrooms.

Simi Valley police responded to the 6200 block of Anastasia Avenue at about 4:15 p.m. Sunday after the new owners reported an unresponsive man partially covered.

The victim, identified as 84-year-old Salvatore Orefice, was pronounced dead at the scene.

Homicide detectives were later called and while investigating, previous owner Karacas showed up.

Karacas admitted to homicide investigators that she had been in a long-term relationship with Orefice and shot him during an argument.

Karacas was later booked at the Ventura County Main Jail for murder, police said.