Current:Home > Contact-usGeorgia religious group abused, starved woman to death, authorities say-DB Wealth Institute B2 Expert Reviews
Georgia religious group abused, starved woman to death, authorities say
View Date:2024-12-23 23:12:22
Five adults and one juvenile were arrested in connection to the death of a woman who was found decomposed in the trunk of a car parked outside a popular Korean bathhouse and spa in Georgia, authorities said Thursday.
Gwinnett County Police Department officers responded to Jeju Sauna in Duluth, Georgia, late Tuesday night after receiving a 911 report of a deceased body in the trunk of a silver Jaguar parked outside the bathhouse. Police said the victim was identified as a South Korean woman who had recently moved to the United States to join a so-called religious organization.
Detectives believe Eric Hyun, 26, was the driver of the vehicle and had parked it outside the bathhouse earlier in the day, according to Cpl. Juan Madiedo. After parking the vehicle, Madiedo said Hyun called a family member to pick him up and take him to an Atlanta area hospital where he was treated for unrelated injuries.
"Eric then called or told that family member to retrieve an item from the vehicle and that's when the family member went back and discovered the body in the trunk," Madiedo said during a Thursday news conference.
Further investigation resulted in a search of a home associated with Hyun in Lawrenceville, an Atlanta suburb about 10 miles east of where the body was found. Madiedo said the search warrant "yielded substantial evidence" to arrest and charge six people in connection to the death.
Hyun; Gawom Lee, 26; Joonho Lee, 26; Juoonhyum Lee, 22; Hyunji Lee, 25; and a 15-year-old were all charged with felony murder, false imprisonment, tampering with evidence and concealing the death of another. Madiedo added that there is no indication of other victims and all suspects are in custody.
The incident is being investigated as a homicide. The Gwinnett County Sheriff’s Office, along with the Gwinnett County District Attorney’s Office, assisted with the investigation.
Danelo Cavalcante escape:An eye in the sky nabbed escaped murderer Danelo Cavalcante. It's sure to be used more in US
Religious group members abused woman, starved her
The woman is believed to have been in her 20s to mid-30s, according to Madiedo. She had moved from South Korea to the United States over the summer to join a self-proclaimed religious organization.
The suspects referred to themselves as belong to “Soldiers of Christ" and had subjected the woman to beatings and malnourishment, Madiedo said. He added there are currently no signs or indications of sex trafficking in the investigation.
Police said the medical examiner's office believes malnourishment was a contributing factor to her death but the exact cause is still under investigation. The victim's body weighed about 70 pounds when authorities discovered her.
Authorities have not identified the woman but said the victim's family is from South Korea and have yet to be notified of the death.
Police: Woman was in trunk for days
The search of the Lawrenceville home led detectives to believe the basement of the home was where the crime took place. Five of the suspects are believed to be U.S. citizens while Gawom Lee holds a visiting visa, Madiedo said.
Three brothers, including the juvenile and two adult males, had resided at the home, according to Madiedo. One of the female suspects was another suspect's girlfriend.
Hyun had "some family ties" and had visited the home often, Madiedo said. He also lived at the home for a period of time.
Madiedo added that the victim "might have been deceased sometime in late August" and that she is believed to have been in the back of the vehicle for "a few days."
veryGood! (12)
Related
- Tesla Cybertruck modifications upgrade EV to a sci-fi police vehicle
- A doctor was caught in the crossfire and was among 4 killed in a gunbattle at a hospital in Mexico
- Was Becky Bliefnick's killer a shadowy figure seen on a bike before and after her murder?
- Endangered red wolf can make it in the wild, but not without `significant’ help, study says
- Utah AD Mark Harlan fined $40,000 for ripping referees and the Big 12 after loss to BYU
- Deion Sanders is Colorado's $280 million man (after four games)
- Jared Goff fires back at Ryan Fitzpatrick over 'Poor Man's Matt Ryan' comment
- Will Lionel Messi play vs. New York City FC? How to watch Inter Miami take on NYCFC
- Barbora Krejcikova calls out 'unprofessional' remarks about her appearance
- Ed Sheeran says he knew bride and groom were fans before crashing their Vegas wedding with new song
Ranking
- Hurricane-damaged Tropicana Field can be fixed for about $55M in time for 2026 season, per report
- Virginia man wins $500,000 from scratch-off game: 'I don't usually jump up and down'
- Kansas basketball dismisses transfer Arterio Morris after rape charge
- 'Dumb Money' fact check: Did GameStop investor Keith Gill really tell Congress he's 'not a cat'?
- Why Officials Believe a Missing Kayaker Faked His Own Death and Ran Off to Europe
- Republican presidential candidates use TikTok and Taylor Swift to compete for young voters
- To prevent gun violence, these peacemakers start with the basics
- It's a trap! All of the goriest 'Saw' horror devices, ranked (including new 'Saw X' movie)
Recommendation
-
Beyoncé course coming to Yale University to examine her legacy
-
Desmond Howard criticizes 'thin-skinned' OSU coach Ryan Day for comments on Lou Holtz
-
Toddler's death at New York City day care caused by fentanyl overdose, autopsy finds
-
Sunday Night Football Debuts Taylor Swift-Inspired Commercial for Chiefs and Jets NFL Game
-
Queen Elizabeth II's Final 5-Word Diary Entry Revealed
-
Dianne Feinstein remembered as a trailblazer and pioneer as tributes pour in after senator's death
-
Dad who won appeal in college admissions bribery case gets 6 months home confinement for tax offense
-
Joe Jonas Wrote Letter About U.K. Home Plans With Sophie Turner and Daughters 3 Months Before Divorce