California Professor, 69, Accused of Murdering His 29-Year-Old Ex-Wife

[aphrodite 2]

By ALYSSA NEWCOMB (@alyssanewcomb)

Sept. 15, 2012

A distinguished professor at California's Naval Postgraduate School has been arrested in connection with the death of his much-younger ex-wife, whose body was found discarded alongside a highway last week.

Lawrence R. Jones, 69, was taken into custody in Los Angeles Friday morning, hours after a forensics team, including FBI experts, searched his home in Monterey, which is 320 miles up the coast from Los Angeles.

It was unclear what Jones had been doing in Los Angeles, authorities said.

"There was evidence to determine the crime happened at that residence," Sheriff's Sgt. Tony Lamonica of the San Benito County Sheriff's Office said of Jones' home in Monterey.

An FBI forensics team became involved at the request of the San Benito County Sheriff's Office.

Lamonica said he could not reveal what authorities found, due to the ongoing investigation.

The body of Norife Herrera Jones, 29, the professor's estranged wife, was found on Sept. 7.

Investigators used dental records to identify Jones, whose body had been dumped off Highway 101, near Gilroy, a town 40 miles north of Monterey.

"After the autopsy, we were able to determine she had a prior residence with her husband, Larry Jones, in Monterey," Lamonica said.

The professor, who serves as the chairman for Financial Management at the Naval Postgraduate School, had been married to his Filipino-born wife for nearly five years until they recently divorced.

It was unclear how the couple met or the circumstances surrounding their separation, however Lamonica said investigators are looking into the couple's background.

Sat Kirtan Khalsa, Jones' neighbor on Spray Avenue, where he has lived since 1987, said she saw a change in her usually reticent neighbor after he got married.

"He raved on and on about how great everything was going," Khalsa told the Monterey Herald. "He was a quiet person so it was unusual. It's about the only thing he shared with us over the years."

Jones had been a professor at the research school, which is operated by the U.S. Navy, since 1987.

Source: http://abcnews.go.com/US/california-professor-lawrence-jones-arrested-wifes-death/story?id=17245056#.UFVHgq5FSBY

[X Factor 1,111]

Very sad. This makes it so scary for legit relationships for foreigners married to Americans and vice versa.

[del-2-5-2014 1,339]

Very sad. This makes it so scary for legit relationships for foreigners married to Americans and vice versa.

Very sad yes but do you mind explaining what you mean by scary for legit relationships between USC and foreigners?

[InHisTime 110]

OMG! She's a Filipina. May God bless her soul to have rest in peace! My condolence to the bereaved family of this late Filipina. Instead of having a good life in the USA, it turned out to be very awful one. The couple has 40 years age gap -- Hope there was true love between them when they started life together. I wonder what could be the reason behind of this murder ? Anyway, thanks for sharing the info. God bless everyone!

[jameugiekaxavilon 25]

So sad; shes so young to die. Condolence to the family and may she rest in peace.

[actob99 156]

Very sad. This makes it so scary for legit relationships for foreigners married to Americans and vice versa.

It is sad... But this also happens between american couples in the states and filipino couples in the Philippines. You make it sound like this was due to being married to a foreiner.....

[Tintin and Mike 127]

Mad, mad world... Prayers for her soul.

[Hank_ 9,174]

It is sad... But this also happens between american couples in the states and filipino couples in the Philippines. You make it sound like this was due to being married to a foreiner.....

Very sad...

Totally agree with you though, it happens everywhere with all couples ... but I am sure CFO will have this on the TOP of their warning list now!

Edited September 16, 2012 by Hank_

[southcalhog 43]

This is very,very Sad! It is not exclusive to just the USA or Marriage to others in other Countries it happens all over the World!

[X Factor 1,111]

Very sad yes but do you mind explaining what you mean by scary for legit relationships between USC and foreigners?

Some Filipinas are scared when they go to CFO counseling. These types of experiences will not alleviate their fears.

[Darnell 8,478]

I'm gonna guess he got enraged from some infidelity...

But that's just a guess, for now ... Maybe the findings will be released in a week, 6 months, or never.