Dr. Lili Xu, a 60-year-old dentist from Oakland, California, was tragically shot and killed on August 21, 2022, in the Little Saigon neighborhood of Oakland. Dr. Xu, who had a thriving dental practice in Oakland's Chinatown and Castro Valley, was well-regarded in her community for her professional skills and compassionate nature. On the day of her death, she was with her longtime partner, Nelson Chia, when an older model Lexus sedan approached them.
Surveillance footage captured the horrifying moment when multiple gunshots were fired, hitting Dr. Xu twice in the back. Despite her partner's efforts to hold her until help arrived, she was pronounced dead at the hospital later that evening.
The investigation into Dr. Xu's death revealed that it was not a random act of violence but a calculated murder-for-hire plot. Two suspects were arrested in connection with the crime: Nelson Chia, Dr. Xu's partner, and Hasheem Bason, a 33-year-old man from Stockton. Authorities disclosed that Chia had orchestrated the murder, motivated by financial gain. Chia had been attempting to take control of Dr. Xu's substantial assets and had even held a banquet in her honor to raise money for his own foundation after her death. Chia's manipulative and exploitative relationship with Bason, which began years earlier, played a crucial role in the execution of the murder plot. Chia threatened to reveal secrets from Bason's past if he did not comply with the plan to kill Dr. Xu.
The case took a dramatic turn when Nelson Chia died by suicide while in custody. This left Hasheem Bason to face the legal consequences alone. Bason eventually pled guilty to second-degree murder and was sentenced to 15 years to life in prison. The Alameda County District Attorney's Office acknowledged the complex dynamics between Chia and Bason, which influenced the final sentencing. Dr. Xu's death and the subsequent investigation highlighted the devastating impact of greed and manipulation, leaving a void in the community that she had served so diligently. The case also underscored the importance of addressing underlying issues of exploitation and coercion in criminal activities.
