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.
