A suspect has been arrested in connection to the alleged murder of an 87-year-old man in San Diego.
On the afternoon of August 2, police responded to a home on Birch Glen Court to investigate a report of a possible drowning. At the home, officers reportedly found 87-year-old William Deignan dead in a nearly empty swimming pool.
Through extensive investigation, including interviews with witnesses and review of surveillance footage, detectives concluded Deignan’s death had been a homicide. They also learned of an active restraining order he’d had against a man identified as 60-year-old Jeffrey Smith.
On August 8, police again responded to Deignan’s home for a security check and found Smith at the scene. Based on the conditions of the restraining order, Smith was arrested and later booked at the San Diego County jail.
On August 11, detectives identified Smith as the primary suspect in the murder. Though he had initially been arrested on suspicion of violating a restraining order, Smith now faces a charge of murder, police said.
Smith has since pleaded not guilty.
