Ha Tran, aged 39, was found dead at her beauty salon in Houston's Chinatown on April 23, 2015. The scene initially appeared as a poorly staged robbery; the cash register was open, but her belongings remained untouched. Ha Tran suffered fatal blunt force trauma, and her car was abandoned nearby. The investigation pointed to her estranged husband, Itani Milleni, who had a history of domestic abuse. Audio surveillance from a neighboring business recorded the sounds of a prolonged struggle, ultimately linking Milleni to the crime. He was later charged and extradited to face trial in Houston.
Milleni had a complicated relationship with Tran, marked by repeated instances of domestic violence. Prior to her death, Tran had sought a divorce and was working with Child Protective Services (CPS) to ensure the safety of their children. On the day of her death, Milleni had become agitated over CPS proceedings, leading to the tragic incident the following morning. Following Tran's murder, Milleni attempted to collect on her life insurance policy, further raising suspicions of his involvement. He later changed his name in an apparent effort to avoid scrutiny but was eventually apprehended and charged with her murder.
