Police Say Man Fatally Shot Wife, Then Self

A Simi Valley man who friends said had been having marital problems shot and killed his wife late Thursday, then took his own life, authorities said.

Responding to a call from a friend of the couple, police found the bodies of James and Gayla White on the living room floor of their house in the 2300 block of St. Clair Avenue about 9:30 p.m., Police Sgt. Jeff Malgren said.

Gayla White, 41, had been shot several times in the head and body with a 12-gauge shotgun, Malgren said. James White, 43, had been shot once in the head. Both were pronounced dead at the scene.

The couple’s 16-year-old son, Shane, was not home during the shootings, Malgren said.

Neighbors expressed shock Friday.

“I don’t think there’s anyone who was more surprised than I was,” said John Holst, who has lived next door to the Whites for more than 10 years. “He was a prince of a guy, and they were a very close-knit family.”

Co-workers of the couple, both of whom were employed at The Times’ San Fernando Valley plant in Chatsworth, said the Whites had been experiencing marital problems. James White had worked as a truck mechanic at the plant since 1984. Gayla White had been a clerk in the production department for a year and a half.

Colleagues said they last saw Gayla White Thursday night at a supervisor’s retirement party. They said she left the Granada Hills restaurant where the party was held after receiving a call from her husband.