CA CA - Phuong Le, 24, Fairfield, 25 April 2010 - #2

[aprilshowers]

I can't believe this may be the outcome! I'm angry .. and sad .. and ANGRY ... really really angry! :furious:

If this is her ... I'm SO sorry Phuong ... SO sorry.

 

['Ailina]

Not very hospitable conditions. Hardly any rain, but a lot of heat and a fair amount of humidity.

 

[sarx]

Weather has been quite nice for this time of year out here. There are A LOT of wild animals out there too, just something to keep in mind. Google earth can be deceptive in terms of underbrush and coverage too. It can be pretty thick under the oaks.

 

[i.b.nora]

Not very hospitable conditions. Hardly any rain, but a lot of heat and a fair amount of humidity.

Good work, 'Ailina.

 

[sarx]

Just got off the phone with a friend who lives up there who says there are lots of places to get off the road and enjoy the sights and the quiet, KWIM?! Maybe it's somewhere she or this person went for just that reason?

As for the weather, if she was under the oaks the rain that we received in the last two weeks wasn't even enough to make it through the trees and would have also kept the temp quite temperate. The lake Berryessa area gets ridiculously toasty in the summer months. The humidity levels this time of year are from the coastal fog and are much different than the humidity in the south US. (Kinda interesting that it was stated as "not very hospitable" when out here we'd call the last few weeks pretty ideal! I guess it just goes to show that weather on paper isn't as clear as it seems.)

 

['Ailina]

Just got off the phone with a friend who lives up there who says there are lots of places to get off the road and enjoy the sights and the quiet, KWIM?! Maybe it's somewhere she or this person went for just that reason?

Definitely. A quiet place to "talk" (read: argue). A place where something bad might happen but no one would be around to hear it.

As for the weather, if she was under the oaks the rain that we received in the last two weeks wasn't even enough to make it through the trees and would have also kept the temp quite temperate. The lake Berryessa area gets ridiculously toasty in the summer months. The humidity levels this time of year are from the coastal fog and are much different than the humidity in the south US. (Kinda interesting that it was stated as "not very hospitable" when out here we'd call the last few weeks pretty ideal! I guess it just goes to show that weather on paper isn't as clear as it seems.)

You got that right! I guess I should be the last person to comment on humidity. We can swim through the air most days down here.

 

[sarx]

LOL, yeah, it's funny cuz reading the humidity levels it kind of sounds that way, but having lived here most of my life and traveled to the south I can say even when the numbers read the same it doesn't feel the same! Love the swim through the air comment, that totally sums up how I feel everytime I go out that way!

I am just so curious as to why up that way, why way up there?

 

[cluciano63]

I just happened to have some true crime show on with a profiler looking at a murder of a woman...the woman's body was dumped elsewhere. What caught my ear was that because the woman's jewelry was left on the body, the profiler said this meant that the person was an inexperienced killer, had killed without planning to do so and had not even thought about trying to prevent body from being identified. They also said that the fact the body was taken elsewhere and left meant that the killer had to get away from the scene of the killing as it was a place associated with the killer.

Not sure if this all applies, but did seem to ring a few bells with this case...

I am really, really sad about Phoung...she has touched me in a way, more so than many of the cases, and they all affect me. Wishing for strength and comfort for her family.

 

['Ailina]

I just happened to have some true crime show on with a profiler looking at a murder of a woman...the woman's body was dumped elsewhere. What caught my ear was that because the woman's jewelry was left on the body, the profiler said this meant that the person was an inexperienced killer, had killed without planning to do so and had not even thought about trying to prevent body from being identified. They also said that the fact the body was taken elsewhere and left meant that the killer had to get away from the scene of the killing as it was a place associated with the killer.

Not sure if this all applies, but did seem to ring a few bells with this case...

This all seems relevant to me, too. And not at all a stretch, but very likely in my opinion.

I am really, really sad about Phoung...she has touched me in a way, more so than many of the cases, and they all affect me. Wishing for strength and comfort for her family.

They all affect me, too, yet I've felt this one on a more personal level. I think it's because Phuong is Asian and so am I. I just don't hear about Asian victims of crime very often. I know it happens, but I don't hear about it. So when it does happen, I guess I think, "That could've been me or my sister or cousin...."

And Phuong does remind me so much of my cousin, who is also Asian, a nurse, very close to her family, studious, and lovely to look at. When I think of how much Phuong's family loves her, how involved they've been in trying to look for her, it brings my own family to mind, and I can't help but view Phuong as an extension of that.

I've been advised by more seasoned sleuthers here to be careful about how involved I allow myself to get with these cases, and I keep that in mind. Regardless, Phuong and her family have found a place in my heart, and I find I'm taking her disappearance quite personally. (sigh)

 

[cluciano63]

It is hard not to take some cases to heart, Alina...I am especially taken by the missing 12-yr old girl from Colorado, Kayleah Wilson, as she looks so much like my niece did at that age...I can't believe she ran away, it has been 5 weeks now, and no sign of her...just very sad and scary. We all have cases we can't seem to let go.

I think Phoung touched a lot of people. As far as being Asian, I truly hope this does not turn out to be her trusted friend/ex-boss, as he was a part of her family's extended Asian "family" apparently and that would be gut-wrenching. I would almost think it would have to be accidental, if this were the case, as I can't imagine it. But perhaps if there was an affair, and I am not at all sold on that, discovery of it was too great a blow to his pride/standing in community? That is about the only scenario I can imagine. But to do violence intentionally to this young woman is just beyond imagining, to me.

 

['Ailina]

It is hard not to take some cases to heart, Alina...I am especially taken by the missing 12-yr old girl from Colorado, Kayleah Wilson, as she looks so much like my niece did at that age...I can't believe she ran away, it has been 5 weeks now, and no sign of her...just very sad and scary. We all have cases we can't seem to let go.

Yes, so awful when these children remind us of our own! But that sympathetic agony is the nature of compassion, which is a wonderful thing. A painful thing, yes, but it means you have a heart. :rose:

I think Phoung touched a lot of people. As far as being Asian, I truly hope this does not turn out to be her trusted friend/ex-boss, as he was a part of her family's extended Asian "family" apparently and that would be gut-wrenching. I would almost think it would have to be accidental, if this were the case, as I can't imagine it. But perhaps if there was an affair, and I am not at all sold on that, discovery of it was too great a blow to his pride/standing in community? That is about the only scenario I can imagine. But to do violence intentionally to this young woman is just beyond imagining, to me.

I'd been meaning to throw this out there: I did some reading on profiling last night, and I read, most often, victims may be the same race as the perps. I can see that being very likely with Phuong, because Asian-Americans (at least 1st thru 2.5 generations) tend to circulate within tightly woven cultural communities.

And like you mentioned, this adds a heavier element of the tragic, because if it is the ex-boss, or someone within that cultural community, that might add personal betrayal of trust right along with the violence and loss. Just terrible.

In any case, I think you have some strong theories -- accidental, affair, pride/reputation, and/or a mixture of all. I hope and pray time will tell.

 

[aprilshowers]

This all seems relevant to me, too. And not at all a stretch, but very likely in my opinion.



They all affect me, too, yet I've felt this one on a more personal level. I think it's because Phuong is Asian and so am I. I just don't hear about Asian victims of crime very often. I know it happens, but I don't hear about it. So when it does happen, I guess I think, "That could've been me or my sister or cousin...."

And Phuong does remind me so much of my cousin, who is also Asian, a nurse, very close to her family, studious, and lovely to look at. When I think of how much Phuong's family loves her, how involved they've been in trying to look for her, it brings my own family to mind, and I can't help but view Phuong as an extension of that.

I've been advised by more seasoned sleuthers here to be careful about how involved I allow myself to get with these cases, and I keep that in mind. Regardless, Phuong and her family have found a place in my heart, and I find I'm taking her disappearance quite personally. (sigh)

:hug: :grouphug: :hug:

 

[aprilshowers]

That sympathetic agony is the nature of compassion, which is a wonderful thing. it means you have a heart.

OT: this is SO true ... my husband lacks this, it's very hard to live with. Luckily, we're separated, but still see each other ... so still very difficult.

 

[BeanE]

Brother's reaction on body found: Most likely it's my sister
Last updated 3 hrs ago

An autopsy on the body is scheduled for Monday.

http://www.news10.net/news/local/story.aspx?storyid=81103&provider=top

 

[BeanE]

Missing Suisun City woman's family awaits ID of body
Saturday, May 08, 2010

The 25-year-old was last seen at a Barnes and Noble in Fairfield, two weeks ago. But, the last 'person' she spoke with, according to Phuong's cell phone records, was Tuck Nguyen.

"I'm not going to make no comment anything," he said Friday.

Nguyen is Phuong's former boss at Postal Express. Police searched Nguyen's Fairfield home and business. He insists that he did not have a romantic relationship with Phuong, but her family is not so sure. They had planned to search for Phuong in the Rancho Solano area Saturday, which is where Nguyen lives.

On Friday, neighborhood security handed over surveillance video to police. Nguyen says he never left his house the day Phuong disappeared. Investigators will check the tapes to verify his story.

Police are not calling Nguyen a suspect.

Article includes video: http://abclocal.go.com/kgo/story?section=news/local/north_bay&id=7431040

 

['Ailina]

OT: this is SO true ... my husband lacks this, it's very hard to live with. Luckily, we're separated, but still see each other ... so still very difficult.

Thank you for the :hug: ...I needed that!

I know a few people (some in my own family, too) who lack this quality, and what's so frustrating about it is compassion is one of those things that can't be taught to adults. It can be demonstrated, but not taught as it can be to children. Once folks are set in their ways, only a tragic experience might wake them up. MOO

(Mods...sorry for the birdwalk. Back to topic.)

 

[panthera]

Weather has been quite nice for this time of year out here. There are A LOT of wild animals out there too, just something to keep in mind. Google earth can be deceptive in terms of underbrush and coverage too. It can be pretty thick under the oaks.

I was afraid there could be a lot of wild animals. And combined with the very warm weather no wonder ID hasn't been officially confirmed yet.

 

['Ailina]

So you think we'll hear something Monday, or you think it'll take all day?

 

[panthera]

I just happened to have some true crime show on with a profiler looking at a murder of a woman...the woman's body was dumped elsewhere. What caught my ear was that because the woman's jewelry was left on the body, the profiler said this meant that the person was an inexperienced killer, had killed without planning to do so and had not even thought about trying to prevent body from being identified. They also said that the fact the body was taken elsewhere and left meant that the killer had to get away from the scene of the killing as it was a place associated with the killer.

Not sure if this all applies, but did seem to ring a few bells with this case...

I am really, really sad about Phoung...she has touched me in a way, more so than many of the cases, and they all affect me. Wishing for strength and comfort for her family.

Thanks for the info! I too have watched many of those shows and I do see the similarities with Phuong's case. The "had killed without planning to do so" part only reinforces my opinion the perp was someone she knew and perhaps an argument or maybe a refusal on Phuong's part led to the killing. Then the perp panicked. MOO

 

[panthera]

Missing Suisun City woman's family awaits ID of body
Saturday, May 08, 2010

The 25-year-old was last seen at a Barnes and Noble in Fairfield, two weeks ago. But, the last 'person' she spoke with, according to Phuong's cell phone records, was Tuck Nguyen.

"I'm not going to make no comment anything," he said Friday.

Nguyen is Phuong's former boss at Postal Express. Police searched Nguyen's Fairfield home and business. He insists that he did not have a romantic relationship with Phuong, but her family is not so sure. They had planned to search for Phuong in the Rancho Solano area Saturday, which is where Nguyen lives.

On Friday, neighborhood security handed over surveillance video to police. Nguyen says he never left his house the day Phuong disappeared. Investigators will check the tapes to verify his story.

Police are not calling Nguyen a suspect.

Article includes video: http://abclocal.go.com/kgo/story?section=news/local/north_bay&id=7431040

They might not be calling him a suspect, but obviously he still has LE's interest or they wouldn't be going over the surveillance video. MOO