Briefs

She was hired by the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office in 2007, where she worked as a patrol deputy and later as a detective before joining the Humboldt County District Attorney’s Office in 2013.

“I recognize the vital role the District Attorney Investigations Division can have on the cases our Office receives for prosecution,” Baxley said in a news release. “I have always valued the opportunity to interact and build professional relationships with the allied agencies and our community. I feel fortunate I am in a position to continue to do this and look forward to leading the investigations division with honesty and integrity.”

Baxley replaces Wayne Cox, who retired on March 30 after serving as chief investigator for the past eight years.

“Chief investigator for the DA’s Office is an exceptionally challenging job,” District Attorney Maggie Fleming said in the release. “Among many other valuable qualities, I appreciated Wayne Cox’s willingness and ability to handle an incredible variety of tasks (at all hours) and the value to our office of his amazing network of connections to people throughout the County and State. I also look forward to Kyla Baxley’s service as chief investigator, because her track record gives many reasons to anticipate that she will be excellent in her new role.”