'Pertinent evidence' seized from home of slain NYT executive's estranged wife, police say
DUBLIN, Calif. (KGO) -- ABC7 Eyewitness News has learned that Dublin police searched the home of the estranged wife of New York Times executive Jonathan McKinsey, who was allegedly shot and killed by his in-laws.
Police say they seized property from the home three days after McKinsey was killed but wouldn't elaborate on what was taken, saying only that it was "pertinent evidence."
The SF Gate was the first to report this update and spoke to a neighbor who said they saw the wife's car being towed away and her phone being taken.
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McKinsey, a 40-year-old gaming engineer for The New York Times, was shot to death Sept. 26 in the parking lot of a sports complex in Dublin. A police sergeant was driving nearby and saw him on the ground as witnesses began calling 911 and pointing out the couple, who were still near the scene, Dublin Police Services said in a news release.
Authorities arrested Shouyong Zhang and Shili Chen, both 76 and from Dublin, on suspicion of murder and other charges. Both are expected to appear in court for a plea hearing on Oct. 19.
Court records show that McKinsey's wife reported to police in 2023, accusing him of shoving one of their children and using rough physical discipline with them generally.
Last October, she obtained a domestic violence protection order against McKinsey after he was arrested and charged with misdemeanor child abuse in another case. Police said he acknowledged having slapped one child and also charged him with endangering another. At the time of his killing, he was out on bail and had been trying to enter a mental health diversion program, the San Jose Mercury News reported.
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McKinsey responded to his wife's court filing by requesting a domestic violence protection order against her and filing for divorce. He had since sought more time with the three children, noting that he had been limited to two hours of supervised visits per week since last fall, Alameda County court documents show.
In his petition for a protection order, McKinsey, who was transgender, alleged that Chen had directed anti-LGBTQ+ slurs at him and at one of their children, the Mercury News reported. He also accused his wife of being abusive during medical procedures related to his transition.
McKinsey joined The New York Times in January 2023. He was director of engineering for New York Times Games and based in the San Francisco Bay Area, the paper said. A spokesperson declined to comment further.
The Associated Press contributed to this article.
