Man Accused Of Killing Menifee Shoe Collector Featured In TLC Segment About Her Footwear 'Obsession'

A Menifee man who allegedly killed his 58-year-old girlfriend -- a world-renowned footwear collector whose lifeless body was found floating in her backyard swimming pool -- will be charged with murder, the Riverside County District Attorney's Office confirmed today.

Justin Charles Smith, 29, was arrested Monday afternoon and held without bail in connection with the death of Darlene Flynn, whose vast collection of shoes and shoe-related products landed her in the Guiness Book of World Records in 2006.

(Watch the attached TLC video clip featuring Flynn and Smith.)

After reviewing details of the case, prosecutors said they decided to charge Smith with one count of murder, along with a sentence-enhancing weapon allegation. He is also accused of a probation violation.

A criminal complaint is slated to be filed Thursday morning, after which Smith would make his initial court appearance, probably that afternoon at the Southwest Justice Center in Murrieta.

Deputies were called to the victim's residence in the 28800 block of Stone Lane around 2 p.m. Monday after receiving calls about a domestic disturbance involving a man and woman, screaming at one another, said sheriff's Sgt. Todd Torrenti.

Deputies knocked on the front door of the house repeatedly but received no response, he said.

"While attempting to make entry, deputies noticed a shirtless male running from the rear of the residence," Torrenti said. "A perimeter was established, and the male was located (hours later) near the intersection of Briggs Road and Highway 74."

Smith was arrested without incident.

Back at the house, deputies pulled Flynn out of the pool and conducted a preliminary examination to determine a possible cause of death. Torrenti said the fatally injured woman "had injuries consistent with blunt force trauma."

Flynn, dubbed "The Shoe Lady" and the "Queen of Sole," had amassed more than 16,000 footwear and related pieces. The collection, which includes heels, sneakers, boots, stockings and even pillows shaped as shoes, has an estimated value in excess of $500,000, according to published reports.

Court records show Smith has a prior misdemeanor conviction for grand theft from September 2012. He was sentenced to three years probation in that case. --City News Service