“The violence this defendant used against these two women is unimaginable. One of the victims while severely injured, managed to escape with her life, but the other was not as fortunate. Her life was senselessly taken from her, and her loved ones must bear that loss,” said District Attorney Tierney. “Enough is enough. A 30-year sentence is the only appropriate punishment for the brutality of these acts and to ensure that the public is protected against this individual.”
Darren Mansfield, 23, will serve a 30-year sentence for the strangulation death of his 22-year-old female victim in April 2021 and the strangulation of another female victim in November 2020, according to Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond A. Tierney’s announcement today. Mansfield pleaded guilty to manslaughter in the first degree and strangulation in the second degree.
In addition, Mansfield admitted guilt on one count of Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Second Degree, which was related to a different incident.
On their date on November 22, 2020 at the Bay Shore Marina, Mansfield allegedly put the first female victim in a headlock and applied such force to her neck that he caused petechiae to both her eyes and lips, as well as serious swelling and bruising to both of her eyes.
Darren Mansfield, 23, will serve a 30-year sentence for the strangulation death of his 22-year-old female victim in April 2021 and the strangulation of another female victim in November 2020, according to the Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond A. Tierney’s announcement today. Mansfield pleaded guilty to manslaughter in the first degree and strangulation in the second degree.
In addition, Mansfield admitted guilt on one count of Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Second Degree, which was related to a different incident.
On their date on November 22, 2020, at the Bay Shore Marina, Mansfield allegedly put the first female victim in a headlock and applied such force to her neck that he caused petechiae to both her eyes and lips, as well as serious swelling and bruising to both of her eyes.
Frania Espinal, who had been dating Mansfield prior to her murder, was reported missing by her family to the Suffolk County Police Department in April 2021, while he was out on bond following his arrest and indictment for the strangulation of the first victim. Video footage shows Mansfield and Espinal entering the defendant’s residence at 1797 Heckscher Avenue in Bay Shore on or around April 10, 2021. Authorities began looking into Espinal’s disappearance after her family claimed she had been reported missing and had not been seen alive since. Mansfield was taken into custody after telling a friend he had strangled someone and was keeping the body in his home. Espinal’s body was discovered under a tarp in Mansfield’s bedroom after authorities executed a search warrant at his home. The Medical Examiner determined that death was the result of homicide and that strangling was the cause of death. Espinal suffered several injuries: a fractured thyroid cartilage, several hemorrhages in her neck, and blunt force damage to her skull.
On March 29, 2023, Mansfield entered a guilty plea.
