The Koreatown Murders Strangeland: A Grisly Crime Scene Shocks LA Community

The Koreatown neighborhood in Los Angeles was left reeling after a gruesome triple murder took place on May 5, 2003. Byung Song, a rapper known as Half Ounce, returned to his apartment to find the bodies of his wife Charis, their infant son Nathan, and their nanny Eun Suk lying in a planter at a nearby building. The shocking discovery sent shockwaves through the community, with many left wondering who could have committed such a heinous crime.

Initially, suspicion fell on Byung Song's husband, but as the investigation unfolded, it became clear that the case was much more complex. The only forensic evidence found at the scene were pieces of rubber believed to be from household gloves, which contained DNA that couldn't be identified. This led investigators to believe that the killer may have been trying to get information from Charis before taking her life.

The fact that Charis was bound and gagged rather than killed immediately suggested that the murderer had gained entry to the apartment without force, killed the nanny and child, and then waited for Charis to return home. This theory is supported by the evidence that Charis died at least 30 minutes after the other two victims, and she had been bound and gagged before being killed.

The investigation revealed that Byung Song's wife had been out running errands earlier in the day, leaving open the possibility that the murderer had arrived before she returned. The case remained unsolved for years, with many theories and suspects emerging over time.

In October 2022, two men were arrested and charged with the murders of Byung Song, Charis, and Eun Suk. Anthony King and Dennis Risinger, whose ages and cities of residence were not disclosed, were taken into custody at separate locations in Long Beach. The Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office filed murder charges against the pair.

The Koreatown community is still reeling from this senseless act of violence, with many left wondering how such a tragedy could have occurred on their doorstep. The case serves as a grim reminder of the devastating impact that crime can have on families and communities.

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