On a quiet Thursday evening in late 2023, San Francisco’s Presidio Heights—a neighborhood usually known for its multi-million dollar Victorian homes and manicured hedges—became the center of a tragic investigation. Police arrived at a residence on the 3200 block of Clay Street for a welfare check. Inside, they found 27-year-old Kimberly Wong unresponsive. She was pronounced dead at the scene.
What followed was a manhunt that ended in the arrest of her boyfriend, Scott Fisher, then 29.
The case of Scott Fisher and Kimberly Wong has since become a focal point for discussions on domestic violence within the tech community and the complexities of mental health. It’s a story of two high-achievers whose lives seemed, from the outside, like the quintessential San Francisco success story. But as court proceedings have revealed, the days leading up to the tragedy were filled with growing fear and erratic behavior.
The Background: Two Tech Professionals
Kimberly Wong was a product designer at Plaid and a former employee at Splunk. She was described by friends as vibrant, creative, and a lover of yoga and cooking. She lived in the apartment she owned on Clay Street, a sign of her success in the competitive Bay Area tech scene.
Scott Fisher was an economics graduate from UC Berkeley. He had been working at Databricks, a high-profile software company, until October 2023—just a month before the incident. Friends of the couple initially described him as a "gentle giant." They had been dating for several years, and to many, they seemed like a solid, happy couple.
🔗 Read more: How Much Did Trump Add to the National Debt Explained (Simply)
Then, things changed.
The Tragic Timeline of November 2023
According to court documents and testimonies from a preliminary hearing in early 2025, the relationship took a dark turn in the final week of November.
- November 28: Wong told a friend that Fisher had "lunged" at her while she was in the shower.
- November 29: Wong reported that Fisher woke her up at 5 a.m. by shaking her and straddling her in bed, only to roll over and go back to sleep as if nothing had happened.
- The Decision: Fearing for her safety, Wong spent that night away from the apartment. She even dropped Fisher off at a relative’s house.
- November 30: Despite her fears, Wong picked Fisher up, and surveillance footage showed them entering their apartment together in the morning.
At approximately 11:17 a.m. that day, surveillance cameras captured Fisher leaving the building alone. He was seen leaving again twice shortly after noon. Wong’s Apple Watch recorded no movement after 12:00 p.m.
Evidence and "Mental Deterioration"
When police finally entered the apartment through a fire escape window, they found a scene that contradicted the "pristine" look of the living room. Wong was found in the kitchen with multiple stab wounds. A large chef's knife was located nearby.
💡 You might also like: The Galveston Hurricane 1900 Orphanage Story Is More Tragic Than You Realized
During the 2025 preliminary hearing, a judge ruled there was sufficient evidence for Fisher to stand trial. Key evidence presented included:
- DNA Evidence: Fisher’s DNA was allegedly found on the handle of the knife.
- Blood Spatter: Investigators found blood on Fisher’s sneaker that matched Wong’s DNA.
- Surveillance: The timing of Fisher’s exit coincided exactly with the cessation of movement on Wong's Apple Watch.
The defense has pointed toward Fisher's mental state. Friends testified that Fisher had begun showing signs of "mental deterioration" and paranoia. Specifically, he reportedly became obsessed with AI, even renaming a group chat to "International AI-assisted buddies."
After leaving the apartment on the day of the killing, Fisher’s father reportedly took him to an emergency room. He was eventually arrested a week later at a behavioral health unit at John Muir Medical Center in Concord.
Why This Case Matters Now
Honestly, the tragedy of Scott Fisher and Kimberly Wong is a sobering reminder that domestic violence doesn't have a specific "look." It happens in "safe" neighborhoods and among high-earning professionals.
📖 Related: Why the Air France Crash Toronto Miracle Still Changes How We Fly
The defense is expected to focus heavily on Fisher's psychological state at the time of the stabbing. Meanwhile, the prosecution, led by District Attorney Brooke Jenkins, is pursuing a murder charge with a potential sentence of 26 years to life.
For those following the case, the nuances of the trial—specifically whether it will be treated as a cold-blooded murder or a tragic mental health crisis—will likely set a precedent for similar domestic violence cases in the tech industry.
Actionable Insights for Safety and Support
If you or someone you know is experiencing a shift in a partner's behavior that feels "off" or frightening, these steps are critical:
- Trust Your Gut: Kimberly Wong told friends she was scared. She took steps to stay away for a night, which shows she knew the danger was real. Never downplay your intuition.
- Document Everything: In cases of erratic behavior or "mental breaks," having a record of dates and specific incidents (like the shower incident or the "shaking" in sleep) is vital for both safety planning and legal protection.
- Contact Professionals: The National Domestic Violence Hotline (800-799-7233) provides confidential support and can help create a safety plan that involves more than just "leaving," which can often be the most dangerous time.
- San Francisco Resources: Local organizations like W.O.M.A.N., Inc. provide specific resources for Bay Area residents navigating domestic high-risk situations.
The trial for Scott Fisher is ongoing, and as of early 2026, a final verdict has not yet been reached. The community continues to mourn the loss of a talented young designer whose life was cut short just as it was reaching its peak.