Mark Mangaccat, born in 1986 to Filipino parents in Daly City, California, represented the quiet diligence of many immigrants striving for a stable life.

Raised in a modest household by his nurse mother, Merna (originally from La Union), and his father, Mark grew up embracing both American life and his Filipino heritage. He secured a steady job at the San Francisco International Airport (SFO), laying the foundation for his future.

His life took a joyful turn when he met Thandar Seinn, a new employee at SFO originally from Myanmar and six years his junior. Despite cultural differences, they fell deeply in love, traveled together, and soon learned they were expecting a child. Facing the high cost of living in the Bay Area, Mark’s supportive parents opened their home to the couple.

In 2015, their son was born, bringing immense happiness. Mark’s mother graciously helped care for the baby, allowing both Mark and Seinn to continue working at the airport and save money. Their relationship faced typical pressures, often stemming from financial stress, but they remained committed. Mark eventually proposed, and Seinn accepted.

Driven by the dream of owning their own home and providing a better environment for their son, Mark and Seinn made a bold plan: save diligently and relocate to the more affordable city of Las Vegas, Nevada. They worked hard, curbed unnecessary spending, and after three years, achieved their savings goal.

They set their moving date for April 27, 2018. They planned to settle in Las Vegas, adjust to their new life, and then officially marry. On April 25, 2018, Mark and Seinn worked their final shifts at SFO. After bidding farewell to colleagues, they drove back to Mark’s parents’ home in Daly City for one last night before their journey.

As Mark carefully backed their car into the family garage around 9:30 p.m., the evening shattered. Gunshots erupted. The car stopped abruptly. Inside the house, Mark’s mother heard the shots and screams. Rushing out, she found her son slumped in the driver’s seat, covered in blood. Despite her frantic 911 call and desperate attempts at CPR, Mark Mangaccat, 31, was gone.

Police arrived, securing the scene. Thandar Seinn, traumatized, provided her account: as Mark was parking, a masked man suddenly appeared from behind, firing multiple shots—estimated between five and seven—into the car at Mark. She claimed the darkness and the mask prevented her from identifying the attacker.

The autopsy confirmed Mark suffered multiple gunshot wounds. The close-knit Filipino community and SFO colleagues were devastated. Mark was remembered as a quiet, kind, and compassionate man, devoted to his fiancée and young son, with no known enemies. A GoFundMe page was created to help with funeral expenses, describing his gentle nature and willingness to help anyone.

With no apparent motive like robbery or gang violence, investigators focused on Mark’s personal life. They returned to interview the family, particularly Thandar Seinn. This time, Seinn provided a crucial piece of information: a male co-worker at SFO had recently developed an obsessive crush on her and had become upset about her impending move with Mark.

This lead directed investigators back to SFO, where they identified the co-worker as Kevin Prasad, 31, a security guard. Colleagues and neighbors expressed shock, describing Prasad as educated and non-violent. While Mark and Prasad worked in different roles, colleagues confirmed they never witnessed any conflict between them.

However, an examination of Prasad’s phone records revealed a disturbing pattern. He had initially texted Seinn about work-related matters but soon began expressing romantic interest, complimenting her appearance and character. Seinn confirmed she received these messages but maintained she remained faithful to Mark.

She stated that once Prasad’s intentions became clear, she informed Mark about the situation and told Prasad she wasn’t interested. Mark, confident in their relationship, reportedly dismissed Prasad as insignificant.

Seinn also revealed that after she submitted her resignation, news of her and Mark’s move spread through the airport, reaching Prasad. He allegedly texted her frantically, pleading with her not to leave.

Phone data confirmed that on April 24, the day before the ambush, Prasad confessed his feelings to Seinn, claiming he could offer her and her son a better life than Mark could. He promised a love she had never experienced. Seinn firmly rejected him, stating her love for Mark was unwavering.

Prosecutors argued this final rejection fueled Prasad’s jealousy and rage, leading him to formulate a deadly plan. He allegedly believed that by eliminating Mark, he could prevent Seinn from leaving and perhaps, in her grief, eventually win her over.

Further investigation linked Prasad to another individual: Donovan Rivera, 25. Cell phone records and CCTV footage allegedly showed Prasad and Rivera waiting near SFO, following Mark and Seinn’s car after their shift, tailing them all the way back to Daly City.

According to Rivera’s later testimony (likely part of a plea deal, though not explicitly stated), Prasad, his long-time best friend, asked him for a ride that night.

Rivera claimed he drove Prasad to the Mangaccat residence as instructed. He said Prasad told him to wait, then exited the vehicle. Rivera stated he was shocked when Prasad suddenly opened fire on the car in the garage.

He claimed Prasad then jumped back into his car, shouting at him to drive away, using Rivera’s vehicle as the getaway car.

Prasad, conversely, maintained his innocence regarding the actual shooting, admitting only to his infatuation with Seinn. However, the evidence—CCTV footage tracking their movements, cell phone data placing them at the scene, and Rivera’s corroborating account—painted a clear picture of a premeditated ambush.

The trial lasted about a week. In 2023, Kevin Prasad was found guilty of first-degree murder with special circumstances, attempted taking of a life (presumably referring to Seinn being in the car, though details are scant), assault, and conspiracy.

Donovan Rivera was also implicated, likely convicted on related charges stemming from his role as the driver.

While exact sentencing details weren’t provided in the source, first-degree murder in California carries a sentence of 25 years to life, potentially without parole due to special circumstances.

Kevin Prasad’s obsessive infatuation tragically cut short Mark Mangaccat’s life and destroyed a family’s dream just as it was about to begin.