Danville Woman Died From Gunshot Wound, Coroner Says

DANVILLE, CA — The Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Office said Danville resident Emily Courchesne, 37, died from a gunshot wound. An autopsy was performed on Courchesne after the sheriff’s office found her dead Friday morning in a home in the 24000 block of Marsh Creek Road in the unincorporated community of Byron. Deputies were sent to the home at 10:05 a.m. Friday on a "medical call" and determined later the death was a homicide.

"Detectives believe Courchesne was killed sometime between Wednesday evening and Thursday early morning," the sheriff's office said in a statement. "No motive or suspects have been established yet."

Last week, deputies arrested two suspects in the death of a San Francisco woman whose body was found in August on a road in Byron. The body of Aleli Avila, 49, was found Aug. 22 at about 3:50 p.m. near the 500 block of Camino Diablo Road, deputies said.

Detectives Tuesday in Pittsburg arrested 44-year-old Ser Estrada of Antioch and booked him into the Martinez Detention Facility on a murder charge. Estrada is being held in lieu of $1 million bail. On Friday in Daly City, detectives arrested 60-year-old Rodolfo Manalo, 60, of San Francisco. He was also was booked on murder charges and jailed with $1 million bail.

Anyone with any information about the homicides can call the investigation division at (925) 313-2600 or the anonymous tip line at (925) 313-1166 or (866) 846-3592. Tips can also be sent to tips@so.cccounty.us.

By Susan C. Schena (Patch Staff) contributed to this report.

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