Authorities issue update on murder investigation; woman with potential information sought
LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – After having taken two suspects into custody the previous night, authorities on Sunday continued to investigate the murder of a Lucerne man and said they are trying to locate a woman who they think may have information about the case.
Authorities said they want to speak to Darlene Geneva Anderson, 53, in connection with the Saturday murder of 70-year-old Nicky Smith.
Lt. Corey Paulich said detectives believe Anderson may have relevant information related to the investigation. She may be living in the Nice or Lucerne area.
On Saturday morning, Smith’s body was found on the side of the road in the 4550 block of Scotts Valley Road near Lakeport, as Lake County News has reported.
Hours later, the Lake County Sheriff’s Office said it had identified Daniel Wayne Ford, 49, of Lakeport and Michael Sean Shaffer, 35, of Upper Lake as the suspects in Smith’s killing.
At 8 p.m. Saturday, Shaffer was contacted and arrested during a traffic stop in Nice. Paulich said detectives questioned Shaffer, who denied any knowledge or involvement with Smith’s death.
Then, at approximately 10 p.m., Ford was contacted and arrested at Running Creek Casino in Upper Lake. Paulich said Ford did not wish to speak to detectives about this investigation.
Shaffer and Ford were both booked into the Lake County Jail on charges of murder, kidnapping, robbery and carjacking. Ford had an additional parole violation and Shaffer had an additional probation violation, Paulich said.
Paulich said both men remain in custody on their respective parole and probation violations as well as $1 million dollar bail.
Based on a review of local crime records, both men appear to have extensive criminal histories.
“We have had considerable contact with both suspects,” Paulich told Lake County News.
As for why the men killed Smith, Paulich said detectives are still interviewing people to determine the motive.
During the initial investigation, authorities located a separate but related crime scene in the intersection of Eickhoff and Scotts Valley Roads, Paulich said.
There, they found blood which Paulich said they are confident is related to the crime based on the location and information from witnesses. However, he said they are waiting for testing to confirm it.
So far authorities have not reported locating Smith’s truck, a 2012 dark green Toyota Tundra with the license number NASTOSR, which they believe was stolen after his death.
Anyone with information on Anderson’s location or this investigation is asked to contact Sheriff’s Central Dispatch at 707-263-2690.
Email Elizabeth Larson at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Follow her on Twitter, @ERLarson, or Lake County News, @LakeCoNews.