Mara Truly, aged 42, tragically lost her life on July 20, 2014, in Sausalito, California. The incident was initially considered suspicious, but subsequent investigations revealed it to be a murder-suicide. Robyn Chan, a 51-year-old Sausalito resident and software executive, was identified as the perpetrator. According to police reports, Chan used a .357 revolver to fatally shoot Truly multiple times before turning a 9mm semi-automatic pistol on himself.
The couple was discovered in Chan's home on San Carlos Avenue after neighbors reported gunfire in the early hours of the morning. Five firearms were recovered from the scene, including an AR-15 rifle and two weapons with high-capacity magazines.
The investigation concluded that Chan and Truly were both highly intoxicated at the time of their deaths, with Truly's blood-alcohol level nearly four times the legal limit for driving. The police found no immediate evidence of a struggle or prior altercation between the two on the night of the incident. However, it was noted that Truly had a history of contentious relationships and may have been involved with other partners outside of her relationship with Chan.
In the aftermath of the tragedy, Truly's family filed a $40 million wrongful death lawsuit against Chan's estate. The lawsuit, brought by Truly's husband, Nathan Prayer, and their daughter, sought damages for emotional distress and pain and suffering. The case highlighted the devastating impact of the incident on Truly's family, who described her as a beacon of light and a beloved figure in their lives. The lawsuit named Chan's sister, Darlene, as the defendant, as she was the executor of his estate. The legal proceedings underscored the family's quest for justice and accountability in the wake of their profound loss.
