SACRAMENTO, CA – A California man has been ordered to spend the rest of his life in prison for the brutal killing and dismemberment of a 77-year-old woman in her North Highlands residence, a crime that stunned the local community and raised questions about the state’s parole system.
Darnell Erby, 47, received a sentence of life without parole after a jury found him guilty of first-degree murder, mutilation, and multiple counts of burglary. The sentencing follows his conviction in June after prosecutors detailed a chilling sequence of events leading to the death of Pamela May.
According to authorities, Erby targeted May, an elderly woman who lived alone in her North Highlands home on Sacramento’s northeastern edge. In mid-July 2022, Erby reportedly entered her property by crawling through a gap in her back fence, initiating a days-long ordeal inside her home.
Investigators say Erby restrained May using her own clothing, binding her hands and face. Over the course of several days, he burglarized her residence before ultimately killing her. Officials believe Erby kept May alive for a period while he attempted to steal valuables and formulate a plot to take the home for himself.
Erby’s alleged scheme grew even more elaborate after May’s death. Authorities revealed that he attempted to fraudulently transfer ownership of the victim’s home into his own name. In the aftermath, Erby returned to the scene and took steps to dispose of May’s body, dismembering her remains and placing them in garbage bags.
The disturbing nature of the crime became apparent when officers, responding to concerns about the homeowner’s welfare, discovered May’s body before Erby could carry out his plans to fully dispose of the evidence. The remains were reportedly mutilated beyond recognition.
Erby was apprehended at the scene and charged with murder under special circumstances, including allegations that the killing occurred during a robbery and involved the use of a deadly weapon during burglary.
Adding another layer to the case, prosecutors pointed out that Erby was on early release from prison at the time of the slaying. Records show that Erby had been sentenced in 2017 to over 12 years for burglary but was released under California’s early parole program for nonviolent offenders after serving less than half that term.
The handling of Erby’s release has prompted significant backlash from the community and local officials. Prosecutors disclosed that they had twice objected to Erby’s early release, citing concerns about public safety.
Erby’s conviction and sentencing underscore ongoing debates surrounding early release policies and their impact on communities. Residents and authorities alike have expressed frustration over a system that enabled Erby’s return to society prior to the completion of his original sentence.
Pamela May’s murder has left a lasting impression on the North Highlands neighborhood, where residents continue to grapple with the devastating crime committed within their own community. As Erby begins his life sentence without the possibility of parole, local leaders say the troubling case continues to fuel calls for changes to the state’s parole review process.