Two Korean American elderly women were found dead with plastic bags over their heads and taped to their necks at a home care facility in Diamond Bar in June, according to further details recently released by the LA County Coroner’s office.
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David Simpson, an investigator with the medical examiner’s office, informed the East Bay Times that the victims, Hee Sook Park, 83, and Monica Lee, 75, were discovered dead on June 24 in a bathroom located at the rear of the Happy Home Care for the Elderly in Diamond Bar.
“The women were found in a bathroom on the rear side of the property with plastic bags over their heads and taped to their necks,” said Coroner Simpson. “Several plastic bags, insulating tape, belts, and extension cords were scattered on the bathroom floor.”
Jianchun Li, 40, a caregiver of Chinese descent, is the main suspect in the case. On the morning following the incident, he reportedly confessed to the facility’s director, who goes by the surname Kim, saying, “I think I’ve done something bad.” Immediately after his confession, Kim dialed 911, leading to Li’s arrest.
Tests conducted by the coroner’s office revealed that three drugs, including dementia medication, were present in victim Park’s system. It’s noteworthy to mention that Park had a history of diabetes and dementia and had recently suffered a fractured left wrist. For Lee, one drug was detected in her system, but “did not appear to contribute to the cause of death,” stated Coroner Simpson.
Currently, Li is in custody with bail set at $4 million. He faces two counts of murder. Furthermore, the prosecutors have added charges of “offense against a particularly vulnerable person” and “violent conduct posing a serious threat to society,” as per the complaint acquired by the Korea Daily.
Li’s precise motive behind the crime remains undetermined. Li’s preliminary hearing is scheduled for December 7 at a Pomona court.
BY SUAH JANG [jang.suah@koreadaily.com]
