Man kills sister over land inheritance conflict in central Vietnam

Police in Khanh Hoa Province have arrested 63-year-old Le Van Hung for allegedly stabbing his younger sister, Le Thi Thu Thao, and her husband, Phan Gia Nghia, to death over a family land dispute. The victims were both teachers in Ninh Hoa, with Thao having retired the previous year and Nghia still teaching at a local primary school.

Hung and Thao had long-standing conflicts regarding the division of their family's land, which had been inherited from their parents. The land, approximately 14,000 square meters in size and valued at around VND16 billion (about US$630,000), was the subject of a legal dispute. After their parents' passing without a will, Hung took control of the documents and sold part of the land, leading to a lawsuit from his siblings. The court ruled against Hung and instructed the family to negotiate a fair division of the property.

However, Hung continued to claim ownership of the entire plot, and according to reports, he made threatening statements about anyone who attempted to challenge his control. On January 10, Hung allegedly rushed at Thao with a knife while she was in her yard, stabbing her multiple times before forcing her into the house and fatally attacking her husband. The couple's cries for help were heard by neighbors, but they had already succumbed to their injuries by the time help arrived. Hung attempted suicide by ingesting pesticide but survived and was taken to a medical facility.

Hung's actions have shocked the community, as the victims were known to be peaceful and well-liked individuals. The couple had one daughter, a university student in Ho Chi Minh City. Police have launched an investigation and cordoned off the scene of the attack.