Two arrested in murder of Happy Camp man

Yreka, Cal.- Two people are facing charges related to the murder of a Happy Camp man whose body was found partially submerged in the Klamath River on Feb. 20.

Jerry Merrill Corriea, 34, and Mark Alan Smith, 43, were arrested Monday. Corriea was already in jail on an unrelated charge. He now faces a Murder charge.

Smith was arrested and charged with Resisting, Obstruction and Delaying a Peace Officer Performing Official Duties and Accessory After the Fact. Investigators did not immediately released details about Smith’s suspected involvement in the murder.

Jesse Francis Ward’s body was found in the Klamath River near the home he was living in. Through its investigation and an autopsy, the Siskiyou County Sheriff’s Office determined ward was the victim of homicide. Investigators have not revealed how Ward died, however they did say he suffered multiple injuries.

“The arrests of Mr. Corriea for the senseless murder of Mr. Ward and the arrest of Mr. Smith for being an accessory after the fact are encouraging developments in the case,” said Siskiyou County Sheriff Jon Lopey. “We still have a lot of work to do to ensure justice is achieved for the victim, family and people of Siskiyou County.”

The Sheriff’s Office is asking anyone with information about the case to call 503-841-2900.

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