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Pier 39 breakdancer allegedly stabbed to death by girlfriend

Jordan Semplar, a local break-dancer, was killed on Friday, Nov. 25, 2022. | Courtesy Alisha Semplar

A break-dancer known for entertaining San Francisco’s Pier 39 tourists was allegedly stabbed to death by his girlfriend in their Diamond Heights home.

Jordan Semplar, 41, lived with the woman who allegedly took his life Friday, according to his sister. 

Sara Buchanan was booked into jail on murder charges and has yet to be appointed an attorney. 

Alisha Semplar told The Standard that her brother lived with Buchanan for about a decade, but had grown increasingly estranged from the rest of his family in recent years. 

Semplar has called the city home for about 20 years, his sister said, and busked mostly as a break-dancer at San Francisco’s famous waterfront destination.

“He was at Pier 39 most weekends,” Semplar said. “He has a lot of people that really love him and care about him.” 

Jordan Semplar (left) breakdancing with a friend. Semplar, a local break-dancer, was killed on Nov. 25, 2022. | Courtesy Alisha Semplar

As part of a crew of fellow dancers called the Oakland Breakers, Semplar took his dancing beyond San Francisco and onto the stage of national competitions, his sister said. His break-dancing nickname was Double Dragon.

Semplar is survived by three sisters in the Bay Area and his parents in Southern California. 

Police say it was about 10:45 p.m. Friday when he was stabbed in the chest near 5 Gold Mine Drive. He died at the scene, where police arrested Buchanan. 

Buchanan’s due to be formally charged in court on Wednesday.

Jonah Owen Lamb can be reached at jonah@sfstandard.com

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