On July 24, 2023, at approximately 10 p.m., Saginaw police responded to a residence in the 200 block of Lottie Lane following a report of a possible self-inflicted gunshot wound. Upon arrival, officers found 46-year-old Kimberly Marie Franks Knapp, a prominent criminal defense attorney based in Fort Worth, lying on a bed with a gunshot wound to her upper chest. She was transported to John Peter Smith Hospital, where she was pronounced dead.
The only other individual present at the scene was 32-year-old Rance Ray Magby, who initially claimed that Knapp had shot herself. However, evidence gathered during the investigation led authorities to suspect foul play. Consequently, Magby, identified as someone with whom Knapp had a romantic relationship, was arrested and charged with her murder. He was booked into the Tarrant County Jail with bond set at $500,000.
Born on February 9, 1977, in Hobart, Oklahoma, Kimberly Knapp moved to Saginaw, Texas, in 1987. She was a star gymnast during her youth, training under renowned coaches, including Béla Károlyi. A graduate of Boswell High School in 1995, she pursued higher education at Texas Wesleyan University and later attended Baylor Law School on a full merit-based scholarship, graduating with honors. Knapp was a well-respected attorney in Fort Worth, known for her dedication to criminal defense law. She was recognized as a top attorney by Fort Worth Magazine and 360 West from 2016 to 2023 and served as an adjunct professor of criminal justice at Texas Wesleyan University.
Her sudden and tragic death has left the legal community and her loved ones in profound grief. Colleagues remember her as a passionate advocate for her clients, with Leigh Davis, president of the Tarrant County Criminal Defense Lawyers Association, noting, "She was always somebody that always came in wanting to work hard, wanting to do well for her clients."
Funeral services were held on July 31, 2023, at Greenwood Chapel in Fort Worth, followed by interment at Hobart Rose Cemetery in Hobart, Oklahoma. She is survived by her mother, Beverly Franks; brother, Kristopher Franks; and husband, John Knapp. Her passing has prompted discussions on domestic violence and the importance of seeking help in abusive relationships. Support services have been made available to assist those affected by this tragedy.
