EC family of four killed was murder-suicide

A woman who lives at a house on the 800th block of Palmview Avenue in El Centro said her family has been traumatized by a recent tragedy. On Monday, police went to her house to investigate a report of shots fired.

El Centro Police Commander Aaron Reel said, “Located one decedent at the location from what it appeared to be a single gunshot wound that was self-inflicted.”

The body of 48-year-old Stephoney Darby was found in the garage of the Palmview residence.

“That house belonged to a relative of Mr. Darby,” Reel said.

At about 2 p.m., police went to check on Darby’s family who lived the 2,000th block of Elm Street.

“Girlfriend or significant other for Mr. Darby, her adult daughter and their shared 5-year-old son,” Reel said.

The bodies of 45-year-old Angelica Cardiel, 24-year-old Diana Zembrano, and the child were found on the second floor.

“Upon checking the interior of the residence, located three additional decedents,” Reel said.

Police said the victims may have been shot on Sunday.

“The evidence that we have at this point it appears that it occurred the prior day,” Reel said.

Authorities said both cases are connected.

“There was a significant amount of evidence located at both locations that indicate Mr. Darby carried out the murder of the three decedents at the house the day prior and then took his own life yesterday,” Reel said.

Commander Reel said the E Centro Police Department is touched by these events.

“They impact everybody involved from family members to the responding officers. It’s tragic,” Reel said .