Cheng Chu, a 64-year-old resident of Redding, California, tragically lost his life on April 23, 2020. His death, along with that of 68-year-old Ya Sosavanh, was discovered in a residence on Bunker Street. Both men had sustained gunshot wounds, leading investigators to classify the incident as a double homicide. The Redding Police Department, with assistance from the California Department of Justice, conducted a thorough investigation, which included interviewing multiple witnesses, collecting evidence from the crime scene, and reviewing surveillance footage from the area.
During the investigation, a neighbor of the victims, Nouan Mokthephathai, aged 74, emerged as a primary suspect. Mokthephathai had an ongoing dispute with the two victims, which investigators believe may have been a motive for the crime. On the evening of April 24, 2020, a search warrant was executed at Mokthephathai’s residence.
Numerous items of evidence were found, linking him to the crime scene and the victims. Consequently, Mokthephathai was arrested and charged with two counts of homicide. He was subsequently booked into the Shasta County Jail, where he was held on a $1,000,000 bail.
The case garnered significant attention due to the nature of the crime and the involvement of the California Department of Justice's forensic team. The evidence collected from the scene was meticulously processed to support the charges against Mokthephathai. The investigation highlighted the critical role of forensic science in solving complex criminal cases and ensuring that justice is served. As the legal proceedings continued, the community of Redding remained engaged, seeking closure for the tragic loss of Cheng Chu and Ya Sosavanh.
