Janice Somple, 65, was found stabbed to death in her home on May 31. Her body was discovered by her boyfriend at about 8 p.m.
Detectives said a suspect was seen leaving Somple's house earlier in the day in a truck. That suspect was identified as Paul Porter, who Somple broke up with more than 15 years ago.
Once they established the suspect's name and a vehicle description, traffic investigators alerted detectives that Porter had been involved in a crash about a mile and a half away from the victim's home the day of the murder.
Porter had suffered a heart attack and died. He hit a couple of cars before crashing into a wall while driving westbound on Madera Road at Country Club Drive East at about 1:15 p.m.
"I want to thank the members of this department and reassure the community that the man, Paul Porter, who murdered Janice Somple, will never victimize another person," said Simi Valley Police Lt. Joseph May.
After further investigation, police were able to confirm that Porter killed Somple and acted alone in the murder. Detectives say it's still unclear why he returned to her house to kill her so many years after they parted ways. They believe Porter and Somple's break-up was amicable.
Anyone with information regarding the case is urged to call the Simi Valley Police Department at (805) 583-6969.
