Sheriff’s Deputy Found Murdered In Her Home

Amy Jacobson — Sun, 15 Oct 2023 23:43:08 +0000

Read Time:1 Minute, 18 Second

Deputy Deanna Esmaeel

CRESCENT CITY, Ca – On October 12, 2023, Sheriff’s Deputy Deanna Esmaeel was found dead in her home. After Deputy Esmaeel failed to show up for work or answer her phone, a coworker was sent to do a welfare check. That’s when her body was found in her North Bank Road home.

Esmaeel and son, Marty (from York’s IG post)

Esmaeel was 67. She joined the Del Norte County Sheriff’s Office in 2021. Her son, Marty York, posted on Instagram after learning of her death, “This is the hardest post I’ll ever have to write, but I found out from the sheriff department last night that my mother was murdered by a man she was seeing. The emotions I have are horrible right now between rage, vengeance, crying.”

Esmaeel’s 54-year-old boyfriend, Daniel James Walter (aka Edward Patrick Davies) was taken into custody in Curry County, Oregon on Friday, October 13, after a brief manhunt. He has been charged with 1 count of murder and is being held in the custody of the Del Norte County Sheriff’s Office. Jail records show a $1 million bail.

Details of Esmaeel’s death have not been released. “At this time, we are unable to release further details as this is an ongoing homicide investigation,” said the sheriff’s department.

Del Norte County Sherriff Garrett Scott released a statement of condolences, “We are all deeply heartbroken with the loss of Deput Esmaeel. Our hearts and prayers go out to her family, friends, and coworkers.”