Vietnamese couple accused of killing neighbor in Canada over barbecue smoke dispute

A murder trial has commenced in Toronto involving a Vietnamese-origin couple accused of killing their neighbor following a prolonged dispute over barbecue smoke. The case, which centers on the 2023 death of 53-year-old filmmaker Reeyaz Habib, is currently being heard before a jury as prosecutors detail the events leading up to the discovery of the victim’s body in a condominium garbage compactor.

The defendants, 36-year-old Khoa Tran and 30-year-old Quynh Isabelle Nguyen, have both entered pleas of not guilty. Tran is currently facing a charge of second-degree murder, while Nguyen is charged with being an accessory after the fact and committing indignity to a human body. The prosecution alleges that the fatal confrontation was the culmination of friction between the residents of a Liberty Village townhouse and Habib, who lived in the apartment directly above them.

According to evidence presented in court, the tension between the neighbors was well-documented. Habib had frequently complained that smoke from the couple’s patio grill drifted into his living space. While a temporary agreement had been reached where Tran would notify Habib via text message before using the barbecue, testimony suggests the relationship remained strained, including a heated verbal exchange just weeks before the killing.

A key witness, Linh Hua, a visitor from Vietnam who was staying with the couple at the time, provided a harrowing account of the night of June 6, 2023. She testified that Tran instructed her to sleep in a bedroom rather than her usual spot in the living room so he could "work." During the night, she reported being awoken by the sounds of a struggle and cries for help. When she questioned the noise, Nguyen allegedly dismissed her concerns by suggesting their neighbor was simply filming a scene.

The prosecution also detailed an alleged cover-up attempt following the incident. Hua testified that the couple pressured her to remain silent and to tell investigators that all three occupants had been asleep in the bedroom that night. After Tran's arrest, Nguyen reportedly continued to urge the witness to avoid speaking with police, warning her that she could be wrongfully implicated or psychologically pressured by law enforcement.

The trial, which is expected to conclude in approximately one month, will also examine forensic evidence recovered from the scene. Investigators have reported finding DNA traces belonging to both Tran and Nguyen on adhesive tape used to secure a blanket around the victim's body. The defense has yet to present its full case as the proceedings continue in Toronto.