Beloved park ranger slain by former co-worker, California cops say. ‘Devastating’

A beloved Sonoma County ranger found shot dead in her home “leaves a legacy of service and care that will not be forgotten,” California parks officials said.

Sheriff’s officials said Katranne “Kat” Pringle, 38, was killed while off-duty by a former colleague, who is believed to have died by suicide, Sonoma County Regional Parks officials said in a Dec. 3 news release.

A deputy performing a welfare check at Pringle’s home in Santa Rosa found her body and the body of Keith Gray, 43, of Santa Rosa, inside a bathroom at about 1:30 p.m. Nov. 27, the Sonoma County Sheriff’s Office said in a news release.

Both had been shot at least once, deputies said.

“Kat was a dedicated and knowledgeable ranger who brought passion and warmth to everything she did,” park officials said of the “devastating” loss.

She joined the department in 2017 as a park aide and became a ranger in 2018, the agency said. Pringle also served as an emergency medical technician and self-defense instructor.

“Fearless yet compassionate and fun yet focused, Kat was well-liked by all and a role model for many, especially younger team members who emulated her dependability and attention to detail,” officials said.

Pringle leaves a son, the park agency said.

“Losing a coworker is a profound tragedy that leaves an immeasurable void in our community,” the sheriff’s office said in a later news release.

Santa Rosa is about a 55-mile drive north from San Francisco.

This story was originally published December 4, 2024 at 9:25 AM with the headline "Beloved park ranger slain by former co-worker, California cops say. ‘Devastating’."