If you’re at all techie, and maybe even if you’re not, you may have seen news reports of a young couple in Berkeley, California, found dead in their duplex apartment. Also found dead were their two cats.

Initially a local story, the mystery deaths soon made national and international news.

And by Friday, published reports (citing unnamed sources) said the cause of death was carbon monoxide poisoning from a 3D printer in their apartment.

A terribly painful story, for sure.

But for us, it was even more painful because it was personal. The dead woman was the daughter of a good friend and colleague of Meda’s who teaches at Michigan State University. She and Meda have collaborated on many publications and research projects, and stay in close touch.

It didn’t take long for the shocking news to spread through the national network of feminist criminologists.

I thought to myself…this just isn’t the kind of thing that happens to people you know. And when it does, it necessarily threatens your own sense of personal safety and security.

We had visited the couple and their cats while in Berkeley for a conference in 2013. We had dinner at their apartment, and of course spent time with their two unusual big-eyed cats, which also turned out to be very smart and would perform tricks in exchange for freeze-dried treats.

Roger, a computer game designer, had been developing his own approach to design of nonviolent games that did not rely on the militarized scenarios of mainstream games. She was a post-doctoral researcher. Two successful careers were well underway.

What can you say? Hug your loved ones. Be glad that you woke up this morning.

And maybe take that 3D printer off your shopping list.