Third Suspect in Hanger Homicide Captured
Samantha Machado
By SHELLY MIDDLETON, Two Rivers Tribune Contributing Writer
The Humboldt County Sheriffs Department (HCSD) announced earlier today that a third suspect believed to be involved in the homicide of Willow Creek resident, Darrell Hanger Sr., was arrested and taken into custody around 4:30pm yesterday in Eureka.
Samantha Machado (aka Samantha Smoker), was arrested without incident near a residence at the 600 block of West Del Norte St. in Eureka.
HCSD Detective, Steve Quenell, said they received information that Machado was seen leaving the residence, which he confirmed to be a relative of Machados, and the Eureka Police Department (EPD) Problem Oriented Policing Team conducted surveillance of the area.
Shortly after receiving the information, the members of EPD and the HCSD, surrounded the home and served a search warrant. They located Machado inside.
Quenell would not confirm whether or not Machado is being forthcoming with information in regards to the murder, which occurred at Hanger’s son’s home in Willow Creek on May 5, however said they may be closing in on the final suspect, Bruce Jason Stallings-Hunsucker.
It is common knowledge that Machado and Stallings-Hunsucker are, or were a couple during the time of the murder, however after an intense search of the home, he was not located at the Eureka residence.
“We are still aggressively attempting to search for Hunsucker and he should be considered armed and dangerous,” said Detective Quenell.
Quenell said the HCSD Detectives unit have been receiving a great deal of tips on the whereabouts of Hunsucker, most of which originate in the Down River area (Weitchpec to Pecwan), but have also heard areas as far away as Oregon and Mexico.
Quenell said they conducted surveillance and interviewed residents in the Down River area last Thursday, to no avail.
Hanger, a lifelong resident and beloved member of the Willow Creek community was shot and killed in the early morning hours of May 5, following an exchange between Hanger and four suspects including, Jackson Surber, Sonia Hunsucker, Smoker and Stallings-Hunsucker, all of whom were believed to arrive at the residence to burglarize the home.
Surber and Sonia Hunsucker were taken into custody last week. All three of the suspects in custody are being held on a $1 million bail each.
The HCSD is asking anyone with information on the whereabouts of Bruce ‘Jason’ Hunsucker to call Detective Schlesigner or Detective Quenell at (707) 445-7251.
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I recently read the article submitted by Mike Lee regarding the murder in Willow Creek and I completely agree with him. My heart is heavy for the Hanger family. Prior to the murders these suspects had been terroizing the Down River community for months; stealing anything of value from our homes and our vehicles- making threats of violence or death to anyone who might stand up for themselves. In one case they actually held home owners at gun point while they robbed them and then shot up their home. Their actions have put the Down River community in paralyzing fear. It makes it hard to sleep when you lie awake at night wondering if your house is next and you worry about the safety of your family. It makes it hard to sleep when have to carry a loaded gun to bed. Prior to the murder the suspects- Jason Hunsucker and his sister Sonia- were seen in the Weitchpec and Pecwan areas and reports were made to the Yurok Tribal Police in hopes that they could bring them to justice. What was the response we got when we made a report? “Sorry, there is not an officer on duty in that area. You should call the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Department.” So we did. What was the response we got from Humboldt County Sheriff? “Where is your Public Safety?” Where do we turn? What can we do? It seems that these terrorists would be priority. RIGHT? Sadly, that was not the case. This concerns me. The incompetence of both departments is forcing the community to follow through with Vigilante Justice. If this concerns you as well then you should take a stand. You should call Mary McQuillen- Yurok Police Chief- and ask her why, in this time, there were not police patrolling the Down River area until the suspects were brought to justice. Ask her why there is a Yurok Public Safety office in the Down River are if there is NEVER anyone there. Call her @ (707) 482-8185. Call Humboldt County Sheriff Mike Downey and ask him why these reports were not taken seriously; (707) 445-7251. Call the Humboldt County District Attorney- Paul Gallegos- and ask him why Sonia Hunsucker was realeased to terroize when she was arrested in connection to a murder in Eureka just last year- (707) 445-7411. The death of Mr. Hanger could have been prevented had the local police been effective in their duties. Please take a stand. Please fight for justice!
Jane Doe
Weitchpec, CA
Well said Jane Doe!
Don’t blame only these four Native Americans for all the crime down Weitchpec way or in all the areas. Two people of the four I am aware had no part in the stealing. It is time to stop critizing the law enforcement, in all the years of living in the vincinity I have seen the police do their job. Another thing, please look into your well of water and double check if there is any flies laying on the bottom. I think you will find hidden fly blows. Another thing, do you not think all the families are not heart broken. I think we all learned a lesson, never take the law into your hands, call the police always. Many broken hearts in the families are crying and it is sad one man died and another wounded, because the law was not called to handle the matter before hand. Was you there when they shot up the house and can you verify all four were there? Leave Mary McQuillen alone. Stop your racism, sterotyping and if you are without fault along with your kin, then speak, otherwise look in your own back yard well.
Not hard to verify all four were at the house, two with bullet wounds, hard to dispute that. One woman found walking just down the road with her man, the other woman bummed a ride for her and her man. Even if they didn’t actually do the stealing, they still helped commit the crime(s)