Left: Tho Ly. Right: Que Tran. Inset: Phuc Vo (San Pablo Police Department)
A 40-year-old man in California has been arrested for allegedly killing his 40-year-old wife and his 74-year-old mother-in-law, both of whom he reported missing about six months ago. Phuc Vo was taken into custody last week and charged with two counts of murder with special circumstance enhancements in the suspected slayings of Tho Ly and her mother, Que Tran, authorities announced.
According to a news release from the San Pablo Police Department, officers on Sept. 13, 2023, responded to a call at Vo’s home in the 1900 block of Sutter Avenue. Upon arriving at the scene, Vo filed formal missing persons reports for his wife and grandmother, saying he had not seen them since Sept. 6.
Police said the mother-daughter duo had allegedly left home in a 2017 Honda Fit and traveled to Southern California after a “family argument.” During the preliminary investigation, police detectives were provided information “indicating that both Ly and Tran had traveled to Southern California,” but they were unable to corroborate the information and considered the women’s whereabouts unknown.
In follow-up interviews, detectives said they discovered several inconsistencies in the statements Vo made to police, particularly about his wife’s car. Vo allegedly claimed he had not seen the vehicle since his wife left with her mom on Sept. 6, but police said he was spotted driving the car two months later.
“Detectives had observed Vo driving his wife’s missing vehicle, which was located on December 5, 2023, in the City of Oakland. Subsequently, Vo was identified as a person of interest in connection with the missing persons case,” police said. “For several weeks, Detectives followed up with varying investigative leads searching for potential witnesses and evidence. Based on evidence gathered during the investigation, it was believed Vo had direct involvement in the disappearance and murders of Tho Ly and Que Tran.”
Police, with the assistance of numerous other law enforcement agencies, on Feb. 29 executed a search warrant on the Sutter Avenue home where they took Vo into custody.
It was not immediately clear what evidence led police to conclude that Ly and Tran were dead and have not speculated about a possible motive. However, in a statement to San Francisco ABC affiliate KGO, a department spokesperson said that Vo and Ly had two children in elementary school who are now living with other family members while they continue searching for the two women.
Police also said that Vo and Ly were having financial troubles.
“As of now the victims have not been located,” SPPD spokesperson Peggy Chou told the station. “We are still actively processing evidence and following up on leads.”
Police have emphasized that the investigation into the alleged crimes remains ongoing and anyone with any relevant information is urged to contact the department’s Investigations Division at 510-215-3150.
Vo is currently in custody at the Martinez Detention Facility without bond. He is scheduled to appear in court for his arraignment on the afternoon of March 19.
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