Hsiang Huang Ling, a 48-year-old Taiwanese woman, tragically lost her life on February 19, 1981, in a harrowing case that shocked the community. Hsiang, along with her 17-year-old daughter Ying Hua Ling, was abducted from their rural home in Vero Beach, Florida. The family, originally from Taiwan, had immigrated to the United States, with Hsiang's husband, Pu Ling, working as an inspector at a fruit packing plant.
The events leading to their deaths unfolded when David Alan Gore, an auxiliary sheriff's deputy, lured Ying into his truck as she stepped off a school bus near her home. Armed with a weapon and his badge, Gore abducted both Ying and her mother, forcing them into his truck.
The two women were taken to an orange grove, where they were subjected to unspeakable violence. Gore confessed to raping both Hsiang and Ying before fatally shooting Hsiang. He later summoned his cousin, Fred Waterfield, who also participated in the crimes. Waterfield raped Ying and subsequently ordered Gore to 'get rid of her.' The remains of Hsiang and Ying were discovered on December 7, 1983, in a citrus grove, where they had been concealed in 30-gallon pesticide drums. Additional remains were found in another grove the following year.
The case led to significant legal proceedings. David Alan Gore and Fred Waterfield were arrested and charged with multiple crimes, including rape, murder, and abduction. Gore's confessions provided critical evidence, and he was eventually sentenced to death for his crimes. The case highlighted the horrifying actions of the two men, who became known as the 'killing cousins' due to their involvement in a series of similar crimes. The brutal murder of Hsiang Huang Ling and her daughter remains a somber reminder of the devastating impact of violence.
