Location: 1100 Block of East Date, Porterville

Incident Date: 11/27/18

Case Number: 18-15185

City: Porterville

Posted by: Media Relations

UPDATE: An autopsy report has revealed that 31-year-old Samantha Lopez of Porterville died from Suffocation. Samantha is the wife of the suspect, Victor Lopez. 

On 11/27/18 at 12:19 p.m., Deputies from the Tulare County Sheriff’s Office, Porterville Substation were called to the 1100 block of E. Date in Porterville for a welfare check under suspicious circumstances. When they arrived, a man ran away from the scene.

During the investigation, a woman was found dead inside the home. The woman’s name and age are not being released at this time pending contact with the family. 

The man was found and detained a short distance away. Detectives with the Tulare County Sheriff’s Office Violent Crimes Unit responded to the scene and assumed the investigation.

During the investigation, the detained man, Victor Lopez, was arrested for homicide. He faces charges of Domestic Violence, Murder and Child Endangerment. The relationship between the victim and Lopez is still under investigation.

This case is currently under investigation by the Tulare County Sheriff’s Office Violent Crimes Investigations Unit.  Anyone with information is encouraged to contact the Tulare County Sheriff’s Office Investigations Unit Detective Kenneth Jones or Sergeant Gary Marks at (559) 802-9563 or (800) 808-0488. Reference case 18-15185. Anonymous information about this crime can be reported via Tipnow email tcso@tipnow.net, text or voicemail at 559-725-4194, or download the Tipnow app for Android or Apple phones.