Jonathan McKinsey killed

Jonathan McKinsey, 40, a New York Times Games engineering director, was killed in Dublin, Calif., on Sept. 26, 2026.

Domestic abuse allegations

McKinsey accused Jang of physical abuse, isolating him from friends, and repeatedly accusing him of infidelity.

Court records show conflict

McKinsey filed a restraining order alleging Jang beat him with a frying pan and caused him to revive a cat after submerging it in a bucket.

Jang's response to book

Jang described the book 'The Memory String' as 'deeply disturbing and frightening' due to alleged threats from McKinsey.

“Jonathan has previously threatened to kill me and my parents”

Transition conflict

McKinsey alleged Jang tried to pull a drainage bulb from his body after a double mastectomy and encouraged suicide in 2010.

Children's safety concerns

McKinsey described carrying a pregnancy with Jang's embryo and alleged she threw a cup at his stomach while pregnant.

Murder charges filed

McKinsey’s parents-in-law, Shili Chen and Shouyong Zhang, were charged with murder after allegedly shooting him in a Dublin park.

Arrest details

Chen and Zhang were arrested at 3:15 p.m. after shooting McKinsey in the Dublin Sports Grounds parking lot.

In-laws' defense strategy

Chen’s attorney plans to plead not guilty, focusing on McKinsey’s alleged abuse as part of her defense.

Custody dispute

McKinsey sought more time with his three children during a custody dispute, citing supervised visits where children played with him.

Family court filings

McKinsey’s court filings described Jang beating him with a frying pan until he ate a cockroach and revived a cat after submerging it in a bucket.

Alleged suicide attempts

Jang wrote McKinsey was hospitalized after two suicide attempts following her attempts to end their relationship.

Murder case status

Chen and Zhang face life in prison without parole if convicted of first-degree murder with a lying-in-wait special circumstance.