Current:Home > BackGeorgia religious group abused, starved woman to death, authorities say-InfoLens
Georgia religious group abused, starved woman to death, authorities say
View Date:2024-12-23 11:57:16
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! (9)
Related
- Messi breaks silence on Inter Miami's playoff exit. What's next for his time in the US?
- What to know about cortisol, the hormone TikTokers say you need to balance
- Missouri inmate set for execution is 'loving father' whose DNA wasn't on murder weapon
- Off the Grid: Sally breaks down USA TODAY's daily crossword puzzle, I Could Have Sworn...
- Tom Brady Shares How He's Preparing for Son Jack to Be a Stud
- Most Hispanic Americans — whether Catholic or Protestant —support abortion access: AP-NORC poll
- Lizzo addresses Ozempic rumor, says she's 'fine both ways' after weight loss
- Eek: Detroit-area library shuts down after a DVD is returned with bugs inside
- 'Survivor' 47, Episode 9: Jeff Probst gave players another shocking twist. Who went home?
- Off the Grid: Sally breaks down USA TODAY's daily crossword puzzle, I Could Have Sworn...
Ranking
- Georgia State University is planning a $107M remake of downtown Atlanta
- Feds: Man accused in apparent assassination attempt wrote note indicating he intended to kill Trump
- Colorado stuns Baylor in overtime in miracle finish
- Kyle Larson dominates at Bristol, four Cup drivers eliminated from NASCAR playoffs
- Brianna “Chickenfry” LaPaglia Explains Why She’s Not Removing Tattoo of Ex Zach Bryan’s Lyrics
- DeVonta Smith injury: Eagles WR takes brutal hit vs. Saints, leads to concussion
- Week 3 fantasy football rankings: PPR, half-PPR and standard leagues
- Unique Advantages of NAS Community — Unlock Your Path to Wealth
Recommendation
-
Chris Evans Shares Thoughts on Starting a Family With Wife Alba Baptista
-
Jerry Jones after Ravens run over Cowboys: 'We couldn't afford Derrick Henry'
-
John Mulaney and Olivia Munn have a second child, a daughter named Méi
-
Trial in daytime ambush of rapper Young Dolph 3 years ago to begin in Memphis
-
Seattle man faces 5 assault charges in random sidewalk stabbings
-
Josh Heupel shows Oklahoma football what it's missing as Tennessee smashes Sooners
-
Selena Gomez addresses backlash after saying she can’t carry children: ‘I like to be honest’
-
2 suspended from college swim team after report of slur scratched onto student’s body