diff --git a/src/registrar/models/utility/domain_helper.py b/src/registrar/models/utility/domain_helper.py
index 3267f0c93..a808ef803 100644
--- a/src/registrar/models/utility/domain_helper.py
+++ b/src/registrar/models/utility/domain_helper.py
@@ -57,9 +57,6 @@ class DomainHelper:
             # If blank ok is true, just return the domain
             return domain
 
-        if domain.startswith("www."):
-            domain = domain[4:]
-
         if domain.endswith(".gov"):
             domain = domain[:-4]
 
diff --git a/src/registrar/tests/test_views.py b/src/registrar/tests/test_views.py
index fda393439..5a32615a4 100644
--- a/src/registrar/tests/test_views.py
+++ b/src/registrar/tests/test_views.py
@@ -236,6 +236,7 @@ class LoggedInTests(TestWithUser):
         # Trigger the delete logic
         response = self.client.post(reverse("application-delete", kwargs={"pk": application.pk}), follow=True)
 
+        # igorville is now deleted
         self.assertNotContains(response, "igorville.gov")
 
         # Check if the orphaned contact was deleted
diff --git a/src/registrar/views/application.py b/src/registrar/views/application.py
index ac1d6f1e9..4e7180cd7 100644
--- a/src/registrar/views/application.py
+++ b/src/registrar/views/application.py
@@ -666,13 +666,28 @@ class DomainApplicationDeleteView(DomainApplicationPermissionDeleteView):
         # This determines if any of these three fields share a contact, which is used for
         # the edge case where the same user may be an AO, and a submitter, for example.
         if len(duplicates) > 0:
-            duplicates_to_delete, _ = self._get_orphaned_contacts(application)
+            duplicates_to_delete, _ = self._get_orphaned_contacts(application, check_db=True)
             Contact.objects.filter(id__in=duplicates_to_delete, user=None).delete()
 
         return response
 
-    def _get_orphaned_contacts(self, application: DomainApplication, check_db=True):
-        """Collects all orphaned contacts"""
+    def _get_orphaned_contacts(self, application: DomainApplication, check_db=False):
+        """
+        Collects all orphaned contacts associated with a given DomainApplication object.
+
+        An orphaned contact is defined as a contact that is associated with the application,
+        but not with any other application. This includes the authorizing official, the submitter,
+        and any other contacts linked to the application.
+
+        Parameters:
+        application (DomainApplication): The DomainApplication object for which to find orphaned contacts.
+        check_db (bool, optional): A flag indicating whether to check the database for the existence of the contacts.
+                                Defaults to False.
+
+        Returns:
+        tuple: A tuple containing two lists. The first list contains the IDs of the orphaned contacts.
+            The second list contains any duplicate contacts found. ([Contacts], [Contacts])
+        """
         contacts_to_delete = []
 
         # Get each contact object on the DomainApplication object
@@ -687,7 +702,7 @@ class DomainApplicationDeleteView(DomainApplicationPermissionDeleteView):
             submitter = self._get_contacts_by_id([submitter.id]).first() if submitter is not None else None
             other_contacts = self._get_contacts_by_id(other_contact_ids)
 
-        # Pair each contact with its related name
+        # Pair each contact with its db related name for use in checking if it has joins
         checked_contacts = [(ao, "authorizing_official"), (submitter, "submitted_applications")]
         checked_contacts.extend((contact, "contact_applications") for contact in other_contacts)