Pubdate: Thu, 11 Jan 2007
Source: San Francisco Chronicle (CA)
Page: B - 3
Copyright: 2007 Hearst Communications Inc.
Contact:  http://www.sfgate.com/chronicle/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/388
Author: Henry K. Lee, Chronicle Staff Writer
Note: Chronicle staff writer Jason B. Johnson contributed to this report.
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mmj.htm (Marijuana - Medicinal)

MAN SLAIN IN HOME, WIFE HURT

Family Disputes Police Theory That Attack Was Somehow Involved With 
Illegal Drugs

Rex Farrance was a popular senior editor at PC World magazine in San 
Francisco, a physical-fitness buff and a family man known for his 
enthusiasm for life and his sensitivity to others, friends say.

But according to police, Farrance, 59, was involved with illegal 
drugs and possibly dealing them along with his wife at their 
Pittsburg home. The activity, police said Wednesday, led to a 
home-invasion robbery Tuesday night in which Farrance was killed and 
his wife, a registered nurse, was pistol-whipped.

However, Farrance's son, Sterling Farrance, 19, blasted the police 
assertion that his parents were involved with illegal drugs in any 
way. Sterling Farrance told The Chronicle on Wednesday night that he 
grew and stored medical marijuana at his parents' home with his 
father's permission.

"I have a prescription. I'm a patient. It was medical," he said. 
"This one officer I remember at the house, he had this predisposition 
to think it was all illegal."

At about 9 p.m. Tuesday, four masked men burst into the Farrance home 
on Argosy Court, a usually tranquil cul-de-sac near an elementary 
school. They fatally shot Rex Farrance in the chest and hit his wife 
in the head with a gun, Pittsburg police Inspector John Conaty said.

Rex Farrance's wife, Lenore Vantosh-Farrance, 56, called 911, but the 
assailants fled on foot before police arrived. No arrests have been 
made in what investigators said was a targeted attack possibly linked 
to narcotics.

"We have substantial reason to believe that the victim and his wife 
were involved in the possession of and, potentially, the distribution 
of illegal narcotics," said Conaty. He declined to specify what type 
of drug, saying only that a "considerable" amount was found in the 
home. Police also would not say whether the killers took anything 
from the house.

Vantosh-Farrance was treated at a hospital and released and 
unavailable for comment. Her daughter, Kavita Johnopoulos, 31, also 
rejected police statements that her mother and stepfather were 
involved with illegal drugs.

She said she believes Rex Farrance, an avid hunter, was targeted for 
money and guns because he's a member of the Bay Point Rod and Gun Club.

"It's sick that they would do this, that they would give false 
information on what's going on in that home," Johnopoulos said.

Co-workers and friends expressed shock at Rex Farrance's slaying and 
the alleged ties to drugs.

"I never went to his house or knew his wife, but he never came across 
as someone who would be dealing drugs," said Todd Fong, a former 
co-worker of Farrance at PC World. "Granted, things could have 
changed -- and I truly hope the police are wrong in their assumptions 
- -- but the Rex I knew and will always remember was a great person."

Rex Farrance, who turned 59 on Sunday, had been an employee of PC 
World in San Francisco for 19 years and was senior technical editor, 
reviewing online and print articles for technical accuracy. He was 
also a fitness enthusiast and rock-music aficionado, friends said.

His wife has been a registered nurse in California since 1983 and is 
employed by Kaiser Permanente, according to acquaintances and public 
records. Neither Farrance nor his wife has an arrest record, authorities said.

PC World officials said Wednesday that they had no knowledge about 
the drug allegations and described Farrance as a well-liked, model employee.

"We are shocked and deeply saddened by the news of Rex's untimely 
death," said Jeff Edman, president and CEO of PC World. "We will miss 
not only his many contributions, but also his friendship."

"We're all in shock here," said Denny Arar, a PC World senior editor. 
"Rex loved his work. He really cared about covering technology in a 
way that was useful for readers. He cared a lot about people, period."

Kimberly Brinson, PC World's managing editor, said Farrance was a 
"kind-hearted and gracious person who showed tremendous respect for 
others and their work."

As a technical editor, Farrance was "part teacher, part diplomat, and 
part historian, roles he served with great sensitivity and humor," 
Brinson said.

For part of Wednesday, police tape surrounded the couple's yellow, 
one-story home, which abuts Willow Cove Elementary School. A piece of 
plywood covered the damaged front door; Farrance's Cadillac was 
parked in the driveway.

Herculano Darosa, 54, who has lived on the street for 24 years, said 
he often saw Farrance jogging or exercising in the neighborhood. "He 
looked nice to me," said Darosa, who expressed shock at the police 
assertion that the couple were involved in drugs.

Another neighbor who wished to be identified only as Dan said, "We 
were absolutely shocked to see the police lights, and we were even 
more shocked to hear from the police that there was drugs going on. 
If they were into drugs, then they kept it well-hidden."
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MAP posted-by: Richard Lake