Full Notification

On May 31, 2012 at 7:58 p.m. the Simi Valley Police Department received a 9-1-1call from a subject who believed his girlfriend had been attacked in her residence in the 1500 block of Carmen Drive in Simi Valley. When officers arrived at the scene, they discovered that Janice Somple, 65 years of age, had been murdered in her residence.

On May 31, 2012, at 8:30 p.m. Simi Valley Police Department Detective Unit was notified of this homicide and assumed the responsibility of the investigation of Janice Somple’s murder. During the early stages of the investigation, the Detective Unit developed significant leads, which included the description of a vehicle and suspect seen leaving Janice’s residence earlier in the day on May 31

Once a description of the vehicle was established, the Detective Unit was contacted by the Simi Valley Police Department’s Traffic Unit with information relative to a collision investigation that occurred at approximately 1:15 p.m. on May 31 at Madera Road and Country Club Drive East in the City of Simi Valley. This location is approximately 1.5 miles from the victim’s home. The Traffic Investigators and the Ventura County Medical Examiner’s Office determined this collision was caused when Paul Porter suffered a fatal heart attack while driving his truck W/B on Madera Rd.

Detectives were able to positively identify Mr. Porter’s truck as the vehicle seen leaving Janice Somple’s residence. Over the past six days, the Detective Unit conducted follow-up investigation focused on Mr. Porter. We have confirmed that Paul Porter acted alone and he was solely responsible for the murder of Janice Somple.

The investigation also determined that Mr. Porter and Janice had a previous dating relationship over 15 years ago. At this stage of the investigation, we believe they parted ways in an amicable manner. Simi Valley Police Detectives know Paul Porter killed Janice Somple and how he did it. We are still seeking an answer as to why he returned to Janice’s home after many years and murdered her.

We are continuing to follow-up multiple leads in multiple jurisdictions as to help determine why this occurred. However, we are not ready to discuss where the leads have taken us and where we are headed with the remainder of this investigation.

Based on that, we are seeking the assistance of the public to provide us any information that can help us to determine a motive for this murder. Anyone who knew Janice Somple or Paul Porter is asked to call Detective Swanson, (805) 583-6969.