In-Laws Charged with Murder in Slaying of NYT Executive

Shouyong Zhang and Shili Chen, the elderly in-laws of slain New York Times executive Jonathan McKinsey, have been charged with murder and related offenses in connection with his death. The pair, both 77, are accused of "lying in wait" for McKinsey before allegedly shooting him in the parking lot of Dublin Sports Grounds on Saturday.

Court documents reveal that the prosecution has added special circumstance charges, including murder by "lying in wait," which suggests premeditation. Additional allegations include violence, bodily harm, use of a weapon, inflicting great bodily injury, and the personal and intentional discharge of a firearm.

A spokesperson for The New York Times confirmed that McKinsey, who had been with the newspaper since 2023, was the victim. He served as the head of engineering for games player experience.

McKinsey was reportedly in the midst of a contentious divorce and custody battle with his wife, Candice Jang. Court filings indicate that both parties had previously accused each other of abuse and had obtained restraining orders. McKinsey had alleged that Jang physically and verbally abused him and their three young children, and once told him he should commit suicide because of his transgender identity.

According to court documents, Chen had a prior altercation with McKinsey and his son. In 2023, Chen allegedly berated McKinsey's young son for wearing dresses, referring to the child with derogatory terms. When McKinsey intervened, Chen reportedly turned her aggression toward him, using similar slurs and allegedly telling him to leave "her house." The documents also state that Zhang allegedly punched McKinsey in the chest after he underwent a double mastectomy.

A family member reportedly told a local publication that they believed the in-laws killed McKinsey to support Jang's custody efforts. Zhang and Chen were arrested by local police on suspicion of murder and appeared for their arraignment in Dublin's East County Hall of Justice.