A man who killed an Escondido resident, whose body was found dumped near Lake Henshaw, was sentenced Wednesday to 16 years to life in state prison.
Eduardo Zamora, 33, pleaded guilty to second-degree murder and a knife allegation in the slaying of 71-year-old Stanley Stephens, his former roommate.
Stephens was reported missing from his North Broadway home in August 2022, and Escondido police put out a call to the public for information regarding his whereabouts.
A search of the area near Stephens’ home was conducted by police to no avail.
Zamora was arrested the following month on suspicion of killing Stephens, though Stephens’ body was not located until a few days after Zamora’s arrest.
A criminal complaint alleges the killing occurred three days before Stephens was reported missing.
A motive for the killing has not been disclosed. Zamora had moved out months before the killing.
The Union-Tribune contributed to this report.
