Bay Shore man faces 2nd degree murder charges in death of Dix Hill woman

Darren Mansfield, 22, is accused of killing Frania Espinal, 22, who was found dead in Mansfield's Heckscher Avenue home Wednesday.

News 12 Staff

Apr 17, 2021, 10:32 AM

Updated 1,112 days ago

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A Bay Shore man was arraigned on second degree murder charges in connection to the death of a Dix Hills woman.
Darren Mansfield, 22, is accused of killing Frania Espinal, also 22, who was found dead in Mansfield's Heckscher Avenue home Wednesday.
Espinal's family reported her missing on Monday after she didn't answer repeated phone calls and text messages from her mother, Jesenia Quinones.
"I kept trying and trying, and I was like, this is not her. She never shuts her phone off because this was the way we communicate," Quinones says.
Two days later, police say they found Espinal's body inside Mansfield's house.
According to prosecutors, Mansfield strangled Espinal, wrapped her body in tarp and duct tape and then tried to get two people to help dispose of the body.
The prosecutors did not give details on a motive.
Espinal's family says she and Mansfield were friends, but not romantically involved.
After graduating from Farmingdale State College in December, Espinal was working two jobs and planning a career in forensics. Her family says they want to remember her for her love of life and her accomplishments.
The judge ordered Mansfield to be held without bail or bond. He's due back in court on April 22.


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