A 30-year-old man from Glendale, California, has been accused of killing and then burning the bodies of an Orange County couple to whom he allegedly owed thousands of dollars, according to authorities.
Hanging Gong was charged earlier this week with two felony counts of murder, one felony count of kidnapping, two felony counts of arson, and two felony counts of first-degree burglary in connection with the killings. If convicted, Gong could face a life term without parole or the death penalty, according to the Orange County District Attorney’s Office.
According to the Orange County District Attorney’s Office, the Brea Police Department was contacted on Oct. 15 by someone who stated that they had not heard from their family member, 37-year-old Kuanlun Wang, in several days, which was uncommon. During their initial contact, the family member informed police that Wang claimed Gong, a business associate, owed him $80,000.
That family member said they called Gong three days earlier, on October 12. Gong allegedly said Wang and his wife, 37-year-old Jing Li, did not attend a meeting in New York City where another business associate was supposed to pay Wang, according to authorities.
The family member stated that they were unaware of the upcoming encounter.
She informed officials that she saw Gong on Wang’s patio on a surveillance camera on October 14 and contacted him again. Gong informed her that it wasn’t him.
Prosecutors alleged that her access to the video surveillance footage was mysteriously shut off. Gong was arrested on November 5 at Los Angeles International Airport following a Brea police investigation.
Prosecutors now allege that Gong viciously murdered the Brea couple.
They claim that on October 12, Gong met Wang somewhere in the desert and killed him by shooting him in the head. According to authorities, Gong then drove Wang’s body back to her Brea home in his own Tesla.
Authorities suspect that Gong attacked Li with a hammer and continuously hit her until she gave him the passcode to her phone. He then got her inside her own Tesla and drove to the San Bernardino desert.
Gong allegedly shot and killed Li in the desert, and then burned her body.
Following the murder, Gong returned to Brea to remove Wang’s body, according to authorities. He carried the body to the Riverside County desert and torched it.
According to authorities, Gong destroyed the two Teslas in separate desert places.
On Oct. 14, he returned to the couple’s Brea home and reportedly stole $250,000 in watches, shoes, handbags, and apparel, according to prosecutors.
“Depravity does not adequately describe the callousness involved in murdering a human being and then driving around in the victim’s car with his body inside to carry out the rest of his plan,” said Orange County District Attorney Todd Spitzer. ”
No one deserves to be executed and then set on fire in the middle of the desert in a desperate attempt by a murderer to conceal his crimes. We are determined to seek justice for the victims and their loved ones.”
In addition to the accusations, Gong is facing special circumstances increases due to the savagery of the alleged crime. These additions might result in Gong receiving the death penalty if convicted. If the DA does not seek that option, Gong could face life in prison without parole.
Gong’s arraignment hearing is set for December 2 at the Central Justice Center in Santa Ana.
