An 11-year-old Asian girl named Nhi Nguyen was killed on Sunday, August 28, 2016, in a tragic event that unfolded within her Albuquerque, New Mexico apartment. The day took a grim turn when Nhi and her family failed to appear for a scheduled appointment, causing a family friend to worry. Upon visiting their home around 10 a.m., the friend made a horrifying discovery and ran from the apartment screaming that her cousin had been killed.
When police officers arrived at the scene, they found
the bodies of Nhi, her 39-year-old mother, Cam Thi To, and her 45-year-old stepfather, Tran Trinh Van. The subsequent investigation by authorities led them to believe the incident was a murder-suicide. Investigators concluded that Tran Trinh Van was the suspect in the deaths of his wife and stepdaughter.
Further details from the investigation revealed a troubled history within the household. It appeared that Tran had a history of domestic violence against Nhi's mother, Cam Thi To. The situation had reportedly escalated to the point where she had recently asked him to move out of their apartment. It is believed that in the wake of this request, Tran fatally shot both his wife and young stepdaughter before turning the gun on himself. No arrests were made as the sole suspect was also deceased at the scene.
