2008 Woodie Awards
Homicide suspect expected to return within two weeks
Jessica Garcia
Issue date: 11/7/02 Section: News
Kim Phuong Lam, a 36-year-old auto mechanic of Memphis, Tenn., has been named as a suspect in the October death of 18-year-old Chi Kim Thi Nguyen.
Captain Mike Utz of the Garden City Police Department said two local detectives were sent to California, where they worked in conjunction with the San Jose Police Department to arrest Lam on Friday, Nov. 1.
"We got an arrest warrant for murder in the second degree," Utz said. "The bond was set at $1,000,000."
Utz said the department was notified that on Nov. 5 Lam waived extradition, meaning that he is not fighting being sent back to Garden City.
"We expect him to be back [in Garden City] within the next two weeks to face the allegations," Utz said.
Lam is being charged with the second-degree murder of Nguyen, whose body was found on the floor beneath a mattress in Room 125 at the Best Western Red Baron Hotel, 2205 E. Business 50, on Oct. 11.
Detectives believe Lam and Nguyen had been involved in an online relationship for several months before Lam allegedly came to Garden City from Sept. 30 to Oct. 5, Utz said.
Nguyen was last seen leaving her residence Oct. 5 and was reported missing by her parents Oct. 6 at approximately 9 p.m.
The cause of death in the case is still pending.
"We are still waiting on the final toxicology reports," Utz said.
Captain Mike Utz of the Garden City Police Department said two local detectives were sent to California, where they worked in conjunction with the San Jose Police Department to arrest Lam on Friday, Nov. 1.
"We got an arrest warrant for murder in the second degree," Utz said. "The bond was set at $1,000,000."
Utz said the department was notified that on Nov. 5 Lam waived extradition, meaning that he is not fighting being sent back to Garden City.
"We expect him to be back [in Garden City] within the next two weeks to face the allegations," Utz said.
Lam is being charged with the second-degree murder of Nguyen, whose body was found on the floor beneath a mattress in Room 125 at the Best Western Red Baron Hotel, 2205 E. Business 50, on Oct. 11.
Detectives believe Lam and Nguyen had been involved in an online relationship for several months before Lam allegedly came to Garden City from Sept. 30 to Oct. 5, Utz said.
Nguyen was last seen leaving her residence Oct. 5 and was reported missing by her parents Oct. 6 at approximately 9 p.m.
The cause of death in the case is still pending.
"We are still waiting on the final toxicology reports," Utz said.