Man accused of killing his girlfriend and her boss in Maplewood had marriage that failed after just 6 months, records show – NJ.com

A man accused of killing his girlfriend and the man who employed her as an au pair in Maplewood on Saturday was in a previous marriage that dissolved after six months in 2018 due to irreconcilable differences, according to divorce filings obtained by NJ Advance Media.

The divorce, finalized in October 2018, was filed by his now ex-wife in Superior Court in Essex County on June 12, 2018 against Joseph D. Porter, 27.

NJ Advance Media is withholding the name of his former wife.

“Irreconcilable differences have caused the breakdown of the marriage for a period of six months, which make clear that the marriage should be dissolved and that there is no reasonable prospect of reconciliation,” the divorce filing states.

It notes that the two had no children together, had not acquired any personal property and that “both parties waive any kind of alimony.”

Porter is charged with killing New York City comedy club owner David Kimowitz, 40, and his family’s live-in nanny, Karen Bermudez-Rodriguez, 26. Porter was scheduled to appear before a judge Thursday, but the court hearing was adjourned to Aug. 14.

Fundraiser seeks to return au pair slain in Maplewood double-killing home to family

Karen L. Bermudez-Rodriguez, 26, and David Kimowitz, 40, were killed early Saturday. Joseph D. Porter, 27, of Elizabeth, is charged with two counts of murder.

Investigators learned through a series of early morning text messages that Bermudez-Rodriguez wanted to end her relationship with Porter, according to an affidavit of probable cause filed by detectives. She also wanted keys to her current residence — the Kimowitz home on Walton Road — back from Porter, the affidavit said.

Porter, the report said, used that key to enter the house where he used a knife to fatally stab Kimowitz on the second floor. Porter bound Bermudez-Rodriguez with tape but she was able to escape the home, according to the affidavit. Porter caught up with Bermudez-Rodriguez, using the same knife to stab her, the report said. She was taken to Newark Beth Israel Medical Center, where she died.

Kimowitz’s wife and two kids were not at the home at the time of the incident, authorities said.

Porter was arrested by police at Newark Liberty International Airport where he had planned to board a plane to Cancun, Mexico.

In Elizabeth, where Porter lived in an apartment on North Broad Street with his mom, Maria, neighbors described Porter as polite and are shocked of the charges he now faces.

“I didn’t know someone could do that,” said Vera Estrada, who lived in the same building as Porter. Estrada said Porter seemed like a nice person, opening the door for her and also playing with her daughter in the hallway.

Victor Toro, a superintendent at the complex, described Porter and his mother as model tenants who paid rent on time and never had any reported issues from neighbors.

“I’ve never had a problem with him,” Toro said. “He’s been very respectful, a great tenant.”

Alex Napoliello may be reached at anapoliello@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @alexnapoNJ. Find NJ.com on Facebook.

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