In the quiet community of Sammamish, Washington, a tragic story unfolded, culminating in the death of 36-year-old Asian female Yiwen Lu on January 30, 2025. The events that led to the discovery of her death began when an attorney contacted the King County Sheriff's Office to report a possible shooting at a local residence, indicating that someone inside had life-threatening injuries. The caller, who was the attorney's client, had already fled the home with his infant son.
Upon arriving at the scene, deputies found Yiwen Lu deceased in her bed, having sustained a gunshot wound to the cheek. Investigators found two shell casings near her body, suggesting she had been shot twice, with the second shot fired at close range. There were no signs of a forced entry or a struggle. In another room, a 9mm Ruger handgun was discovered next to a drum set. The investigation quickly focused on Lu's husband of only two weeks, 35-year-old Brent Sachio Isaac Hamamoto. After leaving the home with their one-year-old son, Hamamoto ensured the child was safe with an aunt in Seattle's Queen Anne neighborhood before arranging to meet with detectives at Sammamish City Hall, where he was taken into custody without incident.
The investigation into the couple's relationship revealed a history of turmoil and conflict. Records showed that Hamamoto had purchased the handgun just one day before the shooting. Months prior, in September 2024, he had filed for a protection order against Lu, alleging she was abusive, had sexually assaulted him, and had threatened to take their son to China. He also claimed she had threatened to harm both herself and their child. Hamamoto has since been charged with second-degree murder and is being held in the King County Jail on $3 million bail.
