Sheriff's Deputy Killed Mother of His Kids — Then Dropped Baby Off at Neighbor's, Said to Call 911 Before Taking Own Life

A Sonoma County sheriff's deputy murdered his children's mother before taking his own life during a seven-hour police standoff.

The tragic incident unfolded on August 10 when Deputy Jeremy Lyle, 44, killed Mari Bonnici, 38, at her Santa Rosa apartment complex. According to People, Lyle then dropped off the couple's infant with a neighbor before instructing her to call 911.

Bonnici worked as a detention specialist with the Sonoma County Sheriff's Department and was the mother of three children with Lyle. The couple's two toddlers were found unharmed in a back bedroom of the apartment after police forced entry and discovered Bonnici's body.

Neighbor Alerts Police After Receiving Baby

The Santa Rosa Police Department received the initial 911 call just after 7 p.m. from Bonnici's neighbor. The neighbor reported that Lyle had handed her an infant and told her to call emergency services because "the child's mother was hurt."

Lyle immediately left the area after delivering the baby to the neighbor. When officers arrived at Bonnici's apartment, they forced entry and found the 38-year-old woman dead from at least one gunshot wound.

The two other children, both toddlers, were discovered safe in a back bedroom of the residence. All three children are now being cared for by relatives following the tragic loss of their mother.

Seven-Hour Standoff Ends In Suicide

About thirty minutes after discovering Bonnici's body, police located Lyle's truck near the county coroner's office. Officers found the deputy standing in the bed of his vehicle holding a handgun to his back.

Law enforcement attempted to negotiate Lyle's surrender for several hours throughout the night. The standoff continued for seven hours as authorities tried various approaches to convince the deputy to put down his weapon.

At approximately 2 a.m., Lyle shot himself while personnel remained on the scene. The Sonoma County Sheriff's Office confirmed that multiple officers witnessed the deputy's death during the prolonged standoff.

Domestic Violence Suspected Despite No Prior Reports

Police believe the incident stemmed from domestic violence between the former couple. However, authorities had no previous domestic violence reports on record involving Lyle and Bonnici.

The Sheriff's Office acknowledged the community's shock following the tragedy involving two of their own employees. Officials noted that no amount of training or experience can fully prepare law enforcement for such devastating events.

This incident marks the ninth homicide and third murder-suicide in Santa Rosa this year, according to police statistics. The case highlights the ongoing challenges of domestic violence even within law enforcement families, where such behavior is professionally opposed.

Lessons to Learn from This Tragedy

This heartbreaking event offers several critical lessons that the public, law enforcement, and community leaders must consider:

1. Silent abuse can still be deadly: The lack of previous police reports in this case reminds us that domestic violence can exist without any external warnings. Friends and family should look for subtle behavioral changes and emotional distress, not just physical signs.

2. Law enforcement professionals need help too: Agencies must provide robust mental health resources and encourage officers to take advantage of them without fear of stigma or professional consequence.

3. Safeguards for domestic violence victims and children: Encourage the use of confidential hotlines, social services, and safe housing options for anyone feeling unsure about a partner. That said, crime can happen to anyone, and victims should never be blamed for the actions of others.

Why This Story Matters

This case underscores the tragic consequences that can result from untreated domestic conflict. It's a critical prompt for law enforcement agencies to evaluate how they support their personnel emotionally and psychologically. The wider community must also reflect on how to create protective environments not just for civilians, but for those who serve in public safety roles.

Conclusion

On August 10, 2025, off-duty sheriff’s deputy Jeremy Lyle fatally shot his former partner, Mari Bonnici, before handing his child to a neighbor and instructing her to seek help. Officers found Bonnici deceased inside her home, while the couple’s two toddlers were uninjured. Hours later, Lyle shot himself during a standoff with police. The couple's three children are now with family, and investigators say the incident was domestic violence-related. Authorities continue to review the deadly events that have now become Santa Rosa’s ninth homicide and third murder-suicide of the year.