Found Deceased AL - Ching Kao, 77 & Siumei Kao, 75, motel owners, Irondale, 21 Sept 2018 *Arrest*

[JerseyGirl]

Irondale police responded Friday to the Siesta Motel at 2510 Crestwood Boulevard on a welfare check of the husband and wife who own the business and live there - 77-year-old Ching Kao and his wife, 75-year-old Siumei Kao. One of the couple's daughters became concerned when she had not spoken with them. The couple has owned the motel since at least 2005, but the business has been closed since January for code violations and the victims were the only people living there.

Once at the hotel, police said the safe was missing from the office and there was blood in the surrounding areas. At least one dog had been left behind in the office, in which there appeared to have been some kind of disturbance.

A review of surveillance footage showed the couple being beaten.

The couple's vehicle was later found not far away.

Irondale police on Saturday night identified Steven Richard Mulkey as a person of interest in the couple's disappearance. He was living at the nearby USA Econo Lodge in Birmingham and the victims' vehicle was recovered by investigators there. Mulkey is a white male, 6-feet, 1-inches tall and weighing 164 pounds. He has brown eyes and brown hair.

Irondale motel owners missing, feared dead: Manhunt ongoing for suspect

WANTED - Steven Richard Mulkey:

 

[Mauge]

Once at the hotel, police said the safe was missing from the office and there was blood in the surrounding areas. At least one dog had been left behind in the office, in which there appeared to have been some kind of disturbance.

Oooooh no

 

[Steelslady]

Who would attack an elderly couple like that? Sick, sick, sick! This doesn't sound like there will be a happy ending, given there was blood found.

 

[ElementalLaura]

The article at the link above has been updated to say that the suspect was captured in Virginia:

The owners of an Irondale motel were discovered missing Friday, and the 27-year-old suspect who has an extensive history of mental illness was captured Monday afternoon at a Virginia motel.

U.S. Marshal Marty Keely said Steven Richard Mulkey was arrested by deputy marshals at a hotel in Staunton, Virginia. Keely said he was arrested at the Hometown Inn by the U.S. Marshals Capitol Area Fugitive Task Force based on information provided by the Gulf Coast Regional Fugitive Task Force.

 

[JerseyGirl]

Mulkey will be held pending an initial court appearance in Augusta County General District Court to determine his status for extradition back to Alabama.

Augusta County Deputies Arrest Alabama Man Wanted for 2 Counts of Capital Murder

 

[Indy Anna]

Bodies believed to be murdered Irondale motel owners found in woods

Two bodies believed to be the missing owners of an Irondale motel were found Tuesday in a wooded area off of Rex Lake Road in Leeds.

Irondale police and the Jefferson County Coroner's office recovered what they believe are the remains of 77-year-old Ching Kao and his wife, 76-year-old Siumei Kao. Detectives went to Virginia on Monday evening following the capture of capital murder suspect Steven Richard Mulkey, who then told them where they could find the missing couple.

more...

 

[AmyPond]

I am glad their bodies have been found. But man...this is so sad.

I read he was their handyman or something, I think.

 

[Steelslady]

Bodies believed to be murdered Irondale motel owners found in woods


more...

How awful- may they rest in peace!

 

[cybervampira]

Suspect Indicted In Slayings Of Irondale Motel Owners

A man arrested in the disappearance of the owners of the Siesta Motel in Irondale has been indicted on capital murder charges. Steven Richard Mulkey, 27, who has a long criminal history, was the handyman at the motel, and has been accused of bludgeoning 77-year-old Ching Kao and his wife, 75-year-old Siumei Kao with a hammer and dumping their bodies in a wooded area off Rex Lake Road in Leeds.

The couple's daughter reported them missing Sept. 21, 2018, and Irondale police responded to the Siesta Motel at 2510 Crestwood Boulevard on a welfare check of the couple, and discovered they were missing. Irondale Police Chief Ken Atkinson said the safe was missing from the office and there was blood in the surrounding areas. At least one dog had been left behind in the office, in which there appeared to have been some kind of disturbance. A review of surveillance footage showed the couple being beaten.

A Jefferson County grand jury on March 8 issued the three-count indictment against Mulkey, according to court records made public Monday.

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