Photo: Edward Culver Hughes IV
DEL NORTE – In February the Del Norte County Sheriff’s Office received several calls about a missing person, 31-year-old Emily Hughes. Her family had not heard from her since December 23, and her grandmother made the February 1st call.
under arrest
Then on February 2 Emily’s mother called and said her daughter was alive and well in Eureka. Information also came in that she may have been “voluntarily missing.”
Next, on February 11 the DNSO received an anonymous report that their missing person may be deceased.
Authorities contacted the estranged husband and arranged a meeting at their residence but he never showed up and his phone was disconnected.
On February 14 a family member located Emily’s vehicle, and went to her residence to get the keys to the vehicle. Once the family member went into the residence, she “noticed a suspicious odor and notified authorities.”
Arriving DNSO deputies entered the home and discovered a body, which was later identified as Mrs. Hughes. On February 18 35-year-old Edward Culver Hughes IV was arrested and charged with murder. Authorities believe the murder occurred in December of 2018.
Hughes’ bail was set at $1 million, and on March 1 he pled not guilty to the murder charge.
