Create a free profile to get unlimited access to exclusive videos, breaking news, sweepstakes, and more!
Veterinarian, Triathlete And 'Incredible Human' Is Allegedly Slain In Murder-Suicide By Ex-Boyfriend
“She had many gifts and she shared them generously,” Mary Knott’s friend said of the slain veterinarian.
A California veterinarian who often spent her free time competing in triathlons across the world was allegedly killed by her ex-boyfriend in a murder-suicide.
Police found 44-year-old Mary Knott and 33-year-old Hilton Williams dead in a Carlsbad apartment on Feb. 13 after forcing their way inside, according to The San Diego Union Tribune.
Police responded to the residence after getting a call from Australian authorities, who said one of Williams’ relatives got a disturbing message from him indicating he had killed Knott and planned to kill himself.
Police went to the apartment just after 6 p.m. on Feb. 13 and discovered the bodies, KGTV reports. Authorities have declined to release any additional details about the incident.
Knott’s friend and triathlon coach Hillary Biscay described Knott to the local paper as an “incredible human.”
“She was a daughter, sister, aunt, devoted animal mom, and a veterinarian,” Biscay said in an email. “She had many gifts and she shared them generously.”
Knott was also a gifted athlete and completed more than 20 Ironman competitions to qualify for the elite Ironman World Championship in Kona, Hawaii.
She often chronicled her athletic pursuits—including her completion of two Ultraman races—on her blog, Finding Kona.
Her last post, written at the end of August, had been about her most recent goal for 2021: completing what’s known as The California Triple Crown of Marathon Swimming. The goal is to swim the 21.3 miles across Lake Tahoe, the 12.4 miles across the Santa Barbara Channel and the 20 miles across the Catalina Channel.
“The minute I read about this challenge I knew I wanted in,” she wrote.
To prepare for the challenge—which only 19 people have successfully completed—Biscay said she had been enduring the elements in difficult training practices.
“She had been braving miles and miles of winter ocean swimming sans wetsuit in preparation,” Biscay said.
She had also been a “major source or motivation and inspiration” to other athletes and her friends.
“(Her family and friends) will do everything we can to carry on her work and her legacy as this tragic loss leaves a gaping hole for so many,” Biscay told the paper.
Williams had reportedly also been an endurance athlete.
