Berkeley City Clerk Deanna Despain was found dead in her Oakland home early Saturday morning, according to police.
37-year-old Despain was discovered by her husband at about 2 a.m., according to Johanna Watson, spokesperson for the Oakland Police Department. Despain had apparently fallen down a flight of stairs but the official cause of death has not yet been finalized as the investigation is still open, Watson said.
The Associated Press reported police have said the home did not display signs of foul play.
Despain became the acting city clerk in Berkeley in 2008, succeeding Pamyla Means. She was made the permanent city clerk in 2009.
City spokesperson Mary Kay Clunies-Ross called Despain’s death “very unexpected” and stressed the importance of Despain’s role in Berkeley government, describing Despain’s job as one vital for transparency and accessibility.
“This is a heartbreaking loss for Deanna’s family, as well as all of us at the City,” said Interim City Manager Christine Daniel in an email sent to city staff. “She was an incredible human being and an excellent city clerk who worked incredibly hard, cared deeply about good government, her profession and her staff. But most of all, she loved her friends, and her family. To her husband and daughter especially, she is irreplaceable.”
Sarah Burns of The Daily Californian contributed to this report.
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