SUFFOLK COUNTY, N.Y. – Darren Mansfield, 23, a resident of Bay Shore, received a 30-year prison sentence following his conviction for the fatal strangulation of Frania Espinal in April 2021, an additional strangulation case from November 2020, and criminal possession of a firearm.
On November 2, 2020, Suffolk County Police arrested Mansfield for illegal weapon possession. His initial release occurred after posting $20,000 bail on November 4, 2020. Despite an open felony gun case, Mansfield was released without bail after another arrest for strangulation on November 23, 2020.
While out on release for both cases in April 2021, Espinal, who had been dating Mansfield, was reported missing. On April 16, 2021, Mansfield was arrested following his confession to a friend about a strangulation and the presence of a body in his residence. A search warrant led to the discovery of Espinal’s body at his residence, and her cause of death was ruled as strangulation.
Mansfield pleaded guilty to first-degree manslaughter, second-degree strangulation, and second-degree criminal weapon possession on March 29, 2023.
