Police resort to public help in search of massacre culprits in southern Vietnam

As the exact number of culprits remains unknown and the murderers are still at large, police have called on members of the public to report anything they know that could help officers with their investigation.

Wood processing magnate Le Van My, 48, his wife, son, daughter, and two other relatives were found dead in their villa in Minh Hung Commune, Nhon Thanh District on Tuesday morning.

My’s youngest daughter, aged 18 months, survived the massacre that led to a countrywide shock and horror.

The dead all had their throats cut in the same manner, according to police.

The villa where the massacre took place. Photo: Tuoi Tre

Officers are delivering leaflets to people in nearby residential areas, markets and factories, encouraging them to speak up if they happen to know the murderers, who apparently did not steal any assets of one of the richest families in town.

This is seemingly the first time police have had to resort to such a method in efforts to hunt for criminals.

On Thursday, Tran Thang Phuc, director of the Binh Phuoc police department, publicized his personal mobile phone number, 0913.937.330, to receive reports related to the bloodbath.

The murder was so cruel that even Minister of Public Security Tran Dai Quang took part in the investigation.

“This is a very serious case,” Quang told the media after arriving at the scene on Wednesday.

“Initial investigation shows that the culprits were well-prepared for the brutal murder.”

Seasoned investigators assigned by the public security ministry are working with local police officers to bring the case to light.

Minister of Public Security Tran Dai Quang consoles family members of the victims. Photo: Tuoi Tre

The murder was first discovered by Doan Thi Cam Loan, the family’s housemaid, at 7:00 am, when she came to the villa to start her work.

The six slain people are My and his wife, Nguyen Le Thi Anh Nga, their 20-year-old daughter Le Thi Anh Linh, 15-year-old son Le Quoc Anh, 18-year-old relative Du Ngoc To Nhu, and 14-year-old relative Du Minh Vy.

Nguyen Le Hung, the younger brother of Nga, told police he found a missed call from Nhu at 3:18 am, and called back but failed to reach the girl.

After many attempts, Hung reached Nhu, who only uttered “Uncle Hung” before the call was disconnected, he said.

“I was worried and phoned Nga at 3:25 am,” Hung recalled. “Nga picked up the phone normally and told me to ‘go to sleep’ because ‘nothing has happened’.”

A deliveryman who usually carries wood to the villa at 4:00 am every day also told police that Nga had called to tell him to delay the delivery to 7:00 am.

These clues suggest that the murder occurred between 3:30 am and 4:00 am on Tuesday, according to officers.

Police also said they found at least five different fingerprints on the villa’s 2-meter-tall wall, indicating that the murderers entered and left the residence that way.

All of the six victims had their throats cut with one same piece of equipment, according to police.

It is unclear if this is a case of theft or revenge between business rivals.