Woman Who Owned 15,000 Shoes Found Dead in Swimming Pool, Murder Suspected

A woman who was renowned for her world record holding shoe collection, it contained over 15,000 shoe-related items, was found dead in her backyard pool and her much younger boyfriend was arrested on Monday, according to the Riverside Press-Enterprise.

Darlene Flynn, 58, had been featured in the "Guinness Book of World Records" and on the TLC program "My Collection Obsession."

"I am very crazy obsessed with shoes," Flynn said on the TLC show. "I'll be surrounded by shoes when I die."

Her boyfriend, Justin Smith, 29, appeared alongside her on the TLC show preparing Flynn a shoe shaped breakfast and dancing by the pool that Flynn would eventually be found dead in, according to CBS News.

Friends of Flynn's described the relationship between her and Smith as "volatile." The two would often break up and get back together. According to Lenore Rice, a friend of Flynn's, the two were not currently dating but Smith was living with Flynn and attempting to pay back a debt to her, according to the Riverside Press-Enterprise.

Carina Cazarez, Flynn's neighbor, told the Riverside Press-Enterprise that while she didn't know Flynn she could often hear arguments coming from the house.

"All of the fights that happened there - it was ridiculous," Cazarez said. "I never expected this to happen."

Smith was convicted of theft in 2012 for selling one of Flynn's cars without her permission. According to court records Smith pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor and was sentenced to 180 days of jail and probation, the Riverside Press-Enterprise reports.

Sgt. Todd Torrenti of the Riverside County Sheriff's Department said that the injuries sustained by Flynn were indicative of blunt force trauma.

"Officers arrived and attempted to make contact at the front door," Torrenti said. "After several attempts, no one answered. While attempting to make entry, officers noticed a shirtless male running from the rear of the residence."

Flynn operated a website called "Dar's Shoe Heaven" where her epic shoe collection could be seen.

Rice said that every inch of Flynn's house was covered in shoes, including the garage. Even her two dogs had shoe related names, Shoesy and Bootsy.

"I feel like I've lost a sister," Rice said. "She's a wonderful gal."