Mother-in-Law Accused of Killing New York Times Executive Claims He Threatened to Hire a Hitman

The mother-in-law of a New York Times executive accused of fatally shooting him in California claims she feared for her life because he had allegedly threatened to hire a hitman to kill her. The allegation emerged as she and her husband faced murder charges in a case tied to a bitter family dispute.

Jonathan McKinsey, 40, who worked as an engineering director for The New York Times’ games division, was fatally shot on September 26, 2026, near a sports complex in Dublin, California. His in-laws, Shili Chen and Shouyong Zhang, both 77, were arrested in connection with his death.

Prosecutors allege the couple acted together and waited for McKinsey before shooting him in a public parking lot. The defendants have pleaded not guilty to the murder charges.

During a court appearance in October, Chen’s defense attorney claimed McKinsey had threatened her on several occasions, including allegedly threatening to have someone kill her. The lawyer said Chen was frightened and had purchased a firearm because she feared for her safety. He argued that the shooting was not planned but happened in the context of the family’s ongoing conflict.

Those claims have not been established in court. Prosecutors, meanwhile, have alleged that the couple planned the killing and have pointed to evidence they say supports the charges.

The case unfolded against the backdrop of a bitter divorce and custody dispute between McKinsey and his estranged wife, Candice Jang, the daughter of the accused couple. Court filings reportedly show that McKinsey and Jang had sought restraining orders against each other and made competing allegations of domestic abuse.

McKinsey also accused his in-laws of mistreating him, including making derogatory remarks about his gender identity. Jang, in turn, alleged that McKinsey had been abusive toward her and their children. These allegations form part of the disputed family history and should not be treated as established findings.

The fatal shooting has drawn attention to the escalating conflict surrounding the family and the custody of their three children. Investigators and prosecutors continue to examine the circumstances surrounding McKinsey’s death, while the defense maintains that the accused couple feared for their safety.

As the case proceeds, the central question remains what happened at the sports complex that afternoon and whether the prosecution can prove its allegation that the shooting was premeditated.

Source:  PEOPLE