Seventh Arrest in Shocking Murder Case of South Korean Woman in Georgia
In a chilling turn of events, a seventh person has been arrested on murder charges in the tragic case of a South Korean woman found dead in a car trunk in suburban Atlanta. The victim, 33-year-old Sehee Cho, met a horrifying fate. Here’s what we know so far:
Who’s the Latest Arrest?
Mihee Lee, 54, was apprehended by the police on Wednesday. She’s the mother of three others who were already accused of murder in connection with Sehee Cho’s death.
The Unfolding Mystery
Sehee Cho had come to the United States from South Korea in July, intending to join a religious group known as Soldiers of Christ. The suspects, including the arrested individuals, referred to themselves as members of this group. However, what happened next is deeply disturbing.
The Gruesome Discovery
On September 12, Cho’s body was discovered in a car parked in Duluth. Her remains were wrapped in a blanket, and her body was in a state of decay. This is where the investigation took a horrifying turn.
A Victim Turned Accused
Eric Hyun, one of the suspects, claims he was also a victim of torture similar to what Cho endured. Remarkably, a judge released him on $100,000 bail, raising eyebrows about the extent of involvement in this gruesome case.
A House of Horror
The investigation reveals that Cho was held against her will for several weeks in the Lee family’s Lawrenceville home. She suffered physical abuse and was denied food, leading to her tragic demise. Mihee Lee played a role in limiting Cho’s access to water, preventing her from seeking medical help, all under the guise of “religious training.”
The Charges
Mihee Lee faces a string of charges, including felony murder, false imprisonment, tampering with evidence, concealing the death of another, and making false statements to the government.
The Accused
Apart from Mihee Lee, the list of accused individuals includes Eric Hyun, Gawon Lee, Joonho Lee, Joonhyun Lee, Hyunji Lee, and a 15-year-old—all from Lawrenceville. Additionally, these six individuals face gang-related charges under Georgia’s gang law.
Family Ties
Notably, Mihee Lee is the mother of three of the accused: Joonhyun Lee, Joonho Lee, and the 15-year-old.
Legal Defense
As the legal process unfolds, some of the accused individuals are still without legal representation. Lawyers for Joonhyun Lee and Hyunji Lee have yet to comment on the case.
The Grim Reality
During a bond hearing, it was revealed that Cho had been dead for nearly a month before her body was discovered. She had lost a significant amount of weight, weighing around 70 pounds at the time of her death.
Escape and Discovery
The investigation found that Cho had initially been voluntarily undergoing an admission process to join the group. She later wanted to leave, but according to the 15-year-old juvenile defendant, “there was no quitting the program.”
Denial of Bail
Despite Joonho Lee’s clean criminal record and student status at Emory University, he was denied bail. The judge expressed concerns about potential threats to commit additional crimes and witness intimidation.
Shocking Allegations
In a bizarre twist, Eric Hyun claims that he was tortured by the Lees while they abused Cho. The extent of his suffering, including skin removal and physical abuse, is deeply disturbing.
The Escape
Hyun, who had been coerced into financial transactions, escaped the Lee family’s house with Cho’s body. His harrowing ordeal involved wiring money to South Korea and purchasing a house in Suwanee, intended as a church for the group.
911 Call
After parking the car containing Cho’s body, Hyun called a relative, who took him to a hospital. When Hyun later asked the relative to retrieve a personal item from the car, the discovery of Cho’s body led to the call to 911.
The Ongoing Battle
Eric Hyun’s lawyer firmly asserts his innocence and expresses confidence that he will be cleared of the charges as the investigation unfolds.
This case continues to unravel, leaving us all stunned by the shocking and tragic events that transpired within this religious group. More details are sure to emerge as the investigation progresses.