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On November 16, 2018, 68-year-old Chong Mua Yang—a Hmong immigrant, war veteran, and lifelong hunter—was found face-down in the snow, shot in the back of the head. The backpack, knife, and shotgun he’d taken on his deer hunt were missing. His footprints were the only ones leading in… but not the only ones leading out.
The investigation would take six years, involve Google geofence warrants, racist text messages, GPS timelines, a can of Scent Killer, and a shocking interview in Miami that turned the entire case upside down.
Was this a hate crime? A hunting “accident”? Or something even darker?
In this episode of Blood Trails, we walk you through every twist and misdirection—from the first frantic phone call to the moment detectives finally identified two suspects whose own words may become their undoing.
This is the story of a man who survived war, built a life from nothing, and was taken from his family by someone hiding in the same woods he loved.
Got a tip about this case or know about another you think we should cover? Send us an email at [email protected].
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21 Comments
I’m curious about the role of GPS timelines in the investigation and how they helped in tracking the suspects’ movements and establishing their involvement in the crime.
The investigation taking six years is a long time, and I wonder what were some of the challenges that the detectives faced in identifying the suspects and gathering enough evidence.
It’s concerning that the case involved racist text messages, which suggests a deeper issue of prejudice that needs to be addressed within the community to prevent similar incidents in the future.
The fact that the suspects’ own words may become their undoing highlights the importance of thorough interrogation techniques and the power of language in criminal investigations.
The fact that Chong Mua Yang was a war veteran and a lifelong hunter makes his murder even more tragic, and it’s heartbreaking to think about the impact on his family.
The fact that Chong Mua Yang’s footprints were the only ones leading in but not the only ones leading out of the crime scene suggests a premeditated attack, and I’m curious to know more about the investigation’s findings on this aspect.
The use of Google geofence warrants was a crucial step in identifying the suspects, and it’s interesting to see how technology played a role in solving the case.
The fact that the suspects thought they could hide their tracks but were caught due to their own actions and the diligence of the investigators is a testament to the power of thorough investigation and justice.
I’m skeptical about the idea that this could have been a hunting accident, given the shot to the back of the head and the missing belongings, it seems like a deliberate act of violence.
The mention of racist text messages as part of the evidence is disturbing and raises questions about whether this was indeed a hate crime, which would have severe implications for the community.
I’m interested in learning more about the community’s reaction to the murder and how it has affected their perception of safety, especially for hunters and outdoor enthusiasts.
The fact that the article invites readers to share tips or suggest other cases to cover indicates a commitment to community involvement and the pursuit of truth, which is commendable.
The mention of a shocking interview in Miami that turned the case upside down implies that there were unexpected twists, and I’m eager to learn more about what was revealed during that interview.
The article’s approach to detailing every twist and misdirection in the case is engaging and informative, making the reader feel like they’re part of the investigation process.
It’s heartbreaking to think about the family of Chong Mua Yang and the impact this event must have had on them, and I hope they find some measure of peace and justice.
The use of a can of Scent Killer by the suspects seems like an attempt to cover their tracks, but it’s surprising that they didn’t consider the digital evidence that would eventually lead to their downfall.
It’s a reminder that in today’s world, it’s becoming increasingly difficult to completely erase one’s digital footprint.
The combination of physical evidence, like the missing backpack and shotgun, with digital evidence, shows how comprehensive the investigation was and how it ultimately led to the identification of the suspects.
The mention of the suspects’ attempt to cover their scent with Scent Killer but not considering digital traces shows a lack of understanding of modern forensic techniques and the importance of digital evidence in criminal investigations.
The story of Chong Mua Yang, who survived war and built a life from nothing, only to be taken away by someone in the woods he loved, is a tragic reminder of the fragility of life and the importance of justice.
The use of geofence warrants raises questions about privacy and the balance between using technology for justice and protecting individual rights, which is an important discussion to have.