_{Thumbnail photo: Deanna Esmaeel (left) is sworn in as a Del Norte County Sheriff’s deputy by then-sheriff Erik Apperson. | Photo courtesy of the Del Norte County Sheriff’s Office.}

A 55-year-old man faces 15-years to life in prison after a jury found him guilty of second-degree murder earlier this month in connection with the death of Del Norte County Deputy Deanna Esmaeel.

Edward Patrick Davies was also found to be sane when he killed Esmaeel, District Attorney Katherine Micks told Redwood Voice Community News on Monday. The jury reached a verdict in the case on March 6 and ruled on Davies’ insanity defense on March 10, she said.

Esmaeel was found dead at her North Bank Road home the morning of Oct. 12, 2023. One of her colleagues at the sheriff’s office was sent to investigate when she didn’t show up for work and wasn’t answering phone calls.

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