Three young lives were cut short last week in South San Jose, gunned down by someone they knew.
The victims were not immediately identified when the suspect was arrested on Sept.17, the day after the triple murder. On Sept. 19, court documents identified the victims as Tarrah Lynn Taylor, Jeannessa Lurie and Max Chavez Ryan, all in their 20s, all from San Jose.
Max Ryan, homeless aid worker of San Jose who was murdered Sept. 16. Submitted photo.
Jeannessa Lurie, a dog trainer of San Jose, was murdered on Sept. 16. Photo from Bite Club K9.
San Jose Inside has located some information from friends, employers and social media about two of the victims – Lurie and Ryan. Authorities and family as of Monday provided no information, except age and residence, about Taylor, who police say was the primary target of the alleged attacker.
Lurie, 24, and Ryan, 26, were embarking on service careers when they succumbed to an assailant’s gunfire shortly after midnight on Sept.16.
Ryan had worked as an outreach worker with the San Jose Housing Department since February, assisting homeless people moving from Columbus Park campsites to more temporary housing.
He is survived by his parents, Joe and Carla Ryan, and two younger brothers.
Lurie had begun work as a security dog trainer for Bite Club K9 in Monterey.
Ryan graduated from UC Santa Barbara in 2022 and in addition to his work helping the homeless, was a writer, musician and painter.
“He had helped hundreds of people move from the Columbus Park homeless encampment,” the housing department said in a statement. “Our heartfelt condolences go out to his friends, colleagues, and loved ones. Max served his community on our Homelessness Response Outreach Team. His commitment to the people of San José, and in particular the most vulnerable among us, exemplified the thoughtful, caring human he was. He will be remembered not only for his professional contributions, but also for his kindness, compassion, and spirit.”
Lurie, a graduate of Mid-Peninsula High School in Menlo Park who attended CSU Monterey Bay, was pursuing a career in animal behavior science. In addition to her work as a dog trainer, she worked part-time at BluePearl Pet Hospital in Monterey.
She lived in San Jose at the house near Martial Cottle Park where the fatal attack occurred.
The three victims were reportedly at the house when Taylor was strangled and beaten by her ex-boyfriend last Sunday and again on Monday. The 24-year-old reported the attacks to San Jose police, which detectives said prompted an alleged return by the killer to silence Taylor and her friends.
Authorities said police were searching for the ex-boyfriend when the fatal attack occurred.
Shortly after midnight the next day, Sept. 17, police said in court documents filed Sept. 19, that Taylor’s 27-year-old ex-boyfriend, Joseph Vicencio, returned to the apartment and shot Taylor, Lurie and Ryan, then fled into the night.
District Attorney Jeff Rosen presented the charges against Vicencio at his Sept. 19 arraignment in Santa Clara County Superior Court: three counts of murder and three related felony weapons crimes. The suspect remains in the Santa Clara County Main Jail, without bail. He is to return to court Oct. 24.
