Sonoma County Park Ranger Remembered As 'Fearless Yet Compassionate'

SONOMA COUNTY, CA — Sonoma County Regional Parks mourned the loss of a park ranger whose body was discovered Nov. 27 in a suspected murder-suicide in Santa Rosa.

Jasmine Katranne "Kat" Pringle, 38, and Keith Gray, 43, of Santa Rosa, were found dead at 1:30 p.m. the Wednesday before Thanksgiving.

A deputy was sent to do a welfare check on Pringle when she was not at work. As the deputy arrived at Pringle's residence in the 2000 block of Weeks Ranch Road, he noticed there were lights on in the home. The front door was closed but unlocked so he announced his presence. When he got no response, the deputy went inside.

He saw a light shining from under a bathroom door, so he opened the door and found the bodies of a man and a woman, who were later identified as Pringle and Gray. Both had at least one gunshot wound, and there was a handgun in the bathroom. It initially appears the man shot and killed the woman, then shot himself, the Sonoma County Sheriff's Office said.

"We’d like to send our deepest condolences to their families during this difficult time," the sheriff's office said.

Detectives were still actively investigating the case even though it appeared to be a murder-suicide.

The coroner's unit was conducting death investigations.

"We are heartbroken about the untimely death of Ranger Katranne 'Kat' Pringle," the sheriff's office said. "Our hearts go out to friends, family, Regional Parks colleagues, and all who knew and loved her. Losing a coworker is a profound tragedy that leaves an immeasurable void in our community. Rest easy, Kat."

A 'Dedicated, Knowledgeable' Sonoma County Park Ranger

"It is with deep sadness that we share news of the sudden, devastating loss of our colleague, Ranger Katranne 'Kat' Pringle," the Sonoma County Regional Parks District said.

"Kat was a dedicated and knowledgeable ranger who brought passion and warmth to everything she did. We will remember her for her absolute professionalism and commitment to serving her parks, her community and her co-workers. 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. At 38, her life and career were cut far too short, but she leaves a legacy of service and care that will not be forgotten at Sonoma County Regional Parks."

Pringle attended the National Park Service Academy in Flagstaff, Arizona, and joined Sonoma County Regional Parks as a park aide in 2017. The district said she was promoted to ranger in 2018 and worked in parks throughout the county, taking each assignment with enthusiasm and curiosity.

"She also was an EMT and a P.O.S.T-certified defensive tactics instructor. She embraced opportunities to learn new skills and encouraged her co-workers to do the same."

"Tragically, Kat was killed while off-duty last week in what the Sonoma County Sheriff's Office reports as an apparent homicide-suicide involving a former colleague who shot her and then shot himself.

"She leaves behind her son, family, friends and co-workers who will miss her immensely."

The district provided links to two accounts created to help with funeral costs and offer her loved ones some financial relief during this difficult time:

• Peace Officers Assoc. Fundraiser For Kat Pringle (100% of the donation goes to the family)
• Go Fund Me For Kat Pringle (Go Fund Me takes a 2.9% transaction fee plus $0.30 per donation)

Tuesday afternoon, each campaign had raised about $15,000.