In a shocking and tragic incident that unfolded on August 7th, the life of Angelina Tran, a 21-year-old student at the University of Washington, was cut short in a horrifying act of violence.
The heart-wrenching events of that fateful day shed light on the immense courage and sacrifice displayed by Angelina as she bravely stood up to protect her mother from her violent stepfather, losing her own life in the process.
The Violent Morning Unveiled
According to The Seattle Times, the incident took place in Beacon Hill, Seattle, on the morning of 7 August. Tran was woken up by the sounds of a violent struggle in her home and was confronted with the brutal reality of her stepfather’s aggression towards her mother.
Without a moment’s hesitation, Angelina leapt into action to shield her mother from the wrath of her stepfather – her mother was punched at least 12 times before she stepped in and let her mother escape to call the police for help.
However, the situation quickly escalated, and her stepfather’s anger manifested in the form of a knife. In a heart-wrenching turn of events, Angelina’s bravery led to her own tragic demise, as she fell victim to the knife-wielding attack.
Angelina’s stepfather, identified as 54-year-old Nghiep Kein Chau, grabbed a knife and relentlessly stabbed Angelina in her torse, and despite her attempts to escape, he pursued her, stabbing her a shocking 107 times, according to court documents.
Even after Tran had died, Chau continued stabbing her, stopping only to change his clothes and to retrieve a meat cleaver to use on her dead body.
He eventually stopped stabbing Tran to pursue her mother.
The police arrived on the scene at approximately 4:55 a.m., responding to the distress call. Upon reaching the residence, they encountered Angelina’s mother at the door.
It was then that they arrested Chau, who still held a bloodied kitchen knife. Tran’s dead body was then found lying in the kitchen of the home.
Unveiling the Motive
In the aftermath of the incident, Chau, speaking through an interpreter, offered a chilling insight into his motivations.
He claimed that he attacked his wife out of the belief that she intended to divorce him, and his anger escalated when Angelina intervened.
Chau was charged with first-degree murder on August 10th, along with first-degree attempted murder. The court proceedings are scheduled for August 31st,
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