On October 12, 2024, 37-year-old Kuanlun Wang was tragically murdered in a desert area of Southern California. His business associate, 30-year-old Glendale resident, Huangting Gong, owed Wang $80,000. Gong allegedly lured Wang to the desert under undisclosed pretenses, where he fatally shot him in the head. After the murder, Gong placed Wang's body into Wang's own Tesla and drove back to Wang's residence in Brea.
Upon returning to the Brea home, Gong allegedly attacked Wang's wife, 37-year-old Jing Li, with a hammer, coercing her to reveal her phone's password. He then forced her into her Tesla and transported her to a desert area in San Bernardino County, where he shot her and set her body ablaze. Subsequently, Gong retrieved Wang's body from the Tesla at the Brea residence, transported it to a desert area in Riverside County, and similarly burned it. He also set both of the couple's Teslas on fire in different desert locations.
Following these heinous acts, Gong returned to the couple's home on October 14, 2024, and stole approximately $250,000 worth of luxury items, including watches, shoes, handbags, and clothing. The investigation into the couple's disappearance began when a family member reported not hearing from Wang for several days, which was unusual. This relative informed the Brea Police Department about the $80,000 debt owed by Gong. Gong was arrested on November 5, 2024, at Los Angeles International Airport upon returning from a trip to Seattle.
Gong has been charged with two counts of murder, kidnapping, arson, and burglary, along with special circumstance allegations of multiple murders and committing murder during the commission of a kidnapping. These charges make him eligible for life imprisonment without the possibility of parole or the death penalty. His arraignment is scheduled for December 2, 2024, at the Central Justice Center in Santa Ana. The Orange County District Attorney's Office will convene a special circumstances committee after the preliminary hearing to determine whether to pursue the death penalty.
Orange County District Attorney Todd Spitzer commented on the case, stating, "Depravity does not adequately describe the callousness involved to kill a human being and then drive around in the victim’s own car with his body inside in order to carry out the rest of his plan." He emphasized the commitment to pursuing justice for the victims and their loved ones.
