Editor at PC World magazine murdered

Jan 11, 2007, 19:08 GMT

San Francisco - The technical editor of the popular technology magazine PC World has been murdered in a brutal home invasion, the San Francisco Chronicle reported Thursday.

Rex Farrance, 59, was fatally shot in the chest when four armed gunmen burst into his home Tuesday night. Police said that the assault may have been drug-related as Farrance's son Sterling Farrance was a medical marijuana patient who was reportedly using his father's house to grow cannabis.

Farrance's family denied the allegation and said that the gunmen were more likely interested in Farrance's collection of guns.

Farancce had worked for the magazine for 19 years. As technical editor he was responsible for reviewing online and print articles for technical accuracy. He was also a fitness enthusiast and rock-music aficionado, friends 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.'