Laurie Houts murder: Tech CEO John Woodward arrested for 30-year-old love triangle killing
MOUNTAIN VIEW, CALIFORNIA: The CEO of a tech firm has been arrested in connection with a murder from three decades ago. Readytech CEO and president John Kevin Woodward’s arrest reportedly came after new DNA evidence connected him to the killing of Laurie Houts, who was fatally strangulated in 1992.
The 58-year-old was taken into custody on Saturday, July 9, at JFK airport after arriving from Amsterdam. It has been said that he will soon be taken to California’s Mountain View for a third trial after two earlier trials acquitted him due to lack of evidence.
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As per reports, Woodward had allegedly developed feelings for Houts’ boyfriend, who was also his roommate. He allegedly strangled the 25-year-old computer engineer in September 1992 in her car with a rope. Mountain View Sergeant David Fisher said, “The motive as we understand it is a love triangle.”
The victim’s body, along with the rope and her car, was reportedly found on September 5, 1992, by a passerby approximately a mile away from her work. The initial investigation confirmed that Houts struggled hard for her life; her footprints were visible on the inside of the windshield. A robbery angle was immediately discarded as her purse was found with her remains.
Woodward was soon deemed the prime suspect as police said, “He was openly jealous of Ms Houts, having developed an unrequited romantic attachment to his roommate, her boyfriend. He had no alibi.” The accused was then arrested but the evidence was not enough and a judge had to drop the case.
However, in 2020, investigators began to examine the case again and a year later, the Santa Clara County Crime Lab and Mountain View Police Department detectives proved that Woodward was inside Houts’ vehicle when she died. Besides, they were able to link him to the murder weapon. "New developments in forensic testing turned up DNA evidence on the rope used to strangle Houts which was matched back to Woodward,” The New York Post reported.
Mountain View police Chief Chris Hsiung said, “This case is the culmination of incredible determination by our detectives over the decades and with phenomenal teamwork with our agency partners here in Santa Clara County and in New York. I am honored that our agency finally gets to give hope to Laurie's family that they can see a successful prosecution carried out. It bears repeating – we do not give up on justice for victims, no matter what.”
After the latest development, Houts’ family also issued a statement that noted, “Although she was only 5' tall, she had a huge heart and her humor and spunk were endearing to all. The way Laurie lived and treated people was a stunning example of what was right in the world. She was a gem to so many, but her bright life was taken from us at the age of 25. We are hopeful that justice can finally be served for Laurie and incredibly appreciative of the law enforcement agencies who have never given up on her.”
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Houts’ best friend, Marilyn, told KTVU News: “I was very proud of her and she was stood on her own. Whether it was in the classroom, or us playing co-ed softball, co-ed basketball in college.” Houts’ sister Cindy added: “It doesn’t really matter what happens because Laurie is not coming back. We don’t get to win and get our sister back. We get to win and maybe get some justice or some closure.”
Woodward could face life in prison if found guilty. ReadyTech has also released a statement after his arrest, which says, "We have the utmost empathy for the families involved. ReadyTech will draw upon the strength of our long-time leadership team to support our employees, our customers and our business during this time."