A former deputy police chief in San Francisco was hoping for a new beginning after deciding to divorce her husband. Unfortunately, just two weeks later, he fatally shot her and their daughter at their home in Marin County before taking his own life, according to a close friend.
Ann Mannix, 65, and her daughter Katie, 24, were victims of Kevin Mannix, 68, a retired police sergeant. The tragedy occurred on a Sunday night, and after the incident, Kevin turned the gun on himself.
Local attorney Marie Hurabiell, a friend of Ann’s, shared that they had been at a party together just weeks prior, and Ann seemed to be thriving after her split from Kevin. “She was in a great place,” Hurabiell stated, mentioning Ann had expressed happiness about the divorce and was looking forward to her future.
While Marie didn’t know Kevin well, she recognized that their relationship had been troubled for some time and described him as a possessive ex-husband who didn’t support Ann’s decision to move on.
Hurabiell characterized Ann as “warm, funny,” and an exceptional leader, dedicated to public safety initiatives since retiring from the San Francisco Police Department in 2021. Known as a “trailblazer” for women in law enforcement, she entered the force back in the 1980s when female officers were still a rarity.
Sadly, this incident isn’t the first tragedy affecting the SFPD in recent years. Officer Chris Morris died by suicide in 2022 while being investigated, and another officer followed suit in 2024.
Alexa O’Brien, a retired San Francisco police captain who worked with both Ann and Kevin, couldn’t believe that someone as mild-mannered as Kevin could commit such an act. She described him as very reserved, contrasting sharply with Ann’s strong presence as she climbed the ranks in the department.
As friends and colleagues reflect on the situation, it’s clear they remember Ann as a vibrant person. One long-time friend recalled their childhood bond, stating, “We were best friends. We were playmates. We learned everything together.” Their friendship lasted over sixty years, and they remained close despite living in different states.
Recently, they had spent quality time together, swimming and enjoying each other’s company. Ann was cherished for her caring nature, sharp humor, and athletic prowess, and was looking forward to becoming a grandmother.
Katie shared her mother’s passion for helping others and was studying nursing at the time of the incident. Her friend reflected on Katie, describing her as fun and the center of attention at gatherings.
Following the shooting, which occurred at their residence in the affluent Strawberry community, Marin County sheriff’s deputies arrived shortly after receiving reports of gunfire. They found the three individuals dead inside the home and stated that there was no ongoing threat to the community.
San Francisco Police Chief Derrick Lew expressed condolences to department personnel about the devastating news, asking everyone to keep the family in their thoughts during this tragic time. The San Francisco Police Officers Association echoed this sentiment, mourning the family’s loss in a statement.
