Pubdate: Fri, 12 Jan 2007
Source: Los Angeles Times (CA)
Copyright: 2007 Los Angeles Times
Contact:  http://www.latimes.com/news/printedition/front/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/248
Author: Eric Bailey, Times Staff Writer

PC WORLD EDITOR SLAIN DURING HOME-INVASION ROBBERY

SACRAMENTO -- Police in a Bay Area suburb are investigating the 
slaying of a PC World magazine senior editor after four robbers 
stormed the family home, shot him to death and pistol-whipped his wife.

It remains unclear what lured the thieves to the Pittsburg home of 
Rex Farrance, 59, on Tuesday night, but an investigator said a large 
quantity of drugs was seized from the house. Detectives are trying to 
determine if narcotics were being dealt from the residence.

Police declined to say what was seized, but Farrance's son, 
19-year-old Sterling, told investigators that his parents weren't 
involved in drug sales. The son said he had a doctor's recommendation 
to use medical marijuana, which he grew at his parents' home.

Colleagues at San Francisco-based PC World, where Farrance started in 
the mailroom and worked his way up to become senior technical editor, 
recalled him as a warm-spirited, socially conservative fitness buff 
- -- hardly the profile of a drug dealer.

Harry McCracken, PC World's editor in chief, said Farrance stood out 
in the liberal Bay Area as a natty, proud Republican who wore an 
American flag lapel pin and demonstrated a tenacious allegiance to 
readers and to providing fair coverage of the high-tech industry.

"When I think of a gentleman, I think of Rex -- upbeat, considerate, 
polite," McCracken said. "When I think of a straight arrow, he comes 
to mind. When I think of the family man, he comes to mind. When I 
think of people who try to do the right thing, he comes to mind."

Pittsburg Police Inspector John Conaty said the attack occurred 
shortly after 9 p.m. Tuesday. Farrance's wife, Lenore, told 
investigators that she was at the rear of the family's home in a 
quiet cul-de-sac when she heard a commotion. Her husband scurried 
into the bedroom followed by four gunmen, all wearing masks and 
demanding money.

Lenore Farrance said she was hit by one of the handgun-wielding 
assailants. She told police she heard her husband trying to find cash 
to give them, then gunshots. At least one round hit Farrance before 
the robbers fled.

Police arrived to discover and impound a large stash of drugs.

"Based on the quantity, we're exploring whether there was the 
potential for sales," Conaty said. "Home invasion is a very unusual 
circumstance, and it puts a focus on why this particular residence 
was selected."

Farrance's wife, a registered nurse, is recovering from her injuries. 
She and her husband had no arrest records, officials said. The family 
did not return a phone call seeking comment. 
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