In 4/2025, Ms. Tu received a call from police, rekindling hope of finding her daughter after 17 years. However, just two months later, the confirmed information devastated the couple: their DNA sample matched that of an unidentified female body recovered from a river in Thuong Nam county, Wenzhou, in 2008.
Ms. Tu recounted that her youngest daughter, Tieu Ly, was 16 years old when she went to work in Wenzhou and met her boyfriend, Luong. "After she broke up with her boyfriend, we lost contact," Ms. Tu said with anguish. "I've been searching for her all these years, never expecting this to be the outcome."
In 12/2025, Ms. Tu received another update from police: Luong was accused of Tieu Ly's murder and arrested in his hometown in Guizhou province. The case has since been transferred to the People's Procuratorate for prosecution review.
Demanded to 'die together' after breakup
According to the People's Procuratorate's indictment, in early 2008, Luong and Tieu Ly, both 16 years old at the time, worked together at a factory in Thuong Nam county, Wenzhou. They later began a romantic relationship.
One evening in mid-to-late 3/2008, Luong asked Tieu Ly to go for a walk. As they walked along the riverbank, an argument erupted when Tieu Ly proposed ending their relationship. During the dispute, Luong embraced Tieu Ly and forced her into the river, intending for them both to die.
As Tieu Ly struggled in the water, Luong did not stop. However, after choking on water and feeling uncomfortable, Luong swam to shore.
Once on land, Luong made no effort to rescue Tieu Ly, leaving her to struggle in the river, which led to her drowning. Luong then fled the scene, concealing the incident for many years.
17 years of searching
When Tieu Ly's family inquired about her whereabouts, Luong lied, claiming they had both gone to Guangdong to work in a toy factory. Ms. Tu and her husband searched there but found no such factory. As they had not supported their daughter's relationship previously, Ms. Tu initially believed Tieu Ly and her boyfriend had run away from home.
Over time, however, Ms. Tu found the situation increasingly suspicious. In 2011, she tried to contact Luong's mother and sister, but they claimed not to know his whereabouts.
Ms. Tu's husband stated that during the 17 years their daughter was missing, they visited Luong's hometown in Guizhou seven times to search for her. Each time, Luong's mother welcomed them warmly, and they noticed nothing unusual.
The couple's last visit to Luong's hometown was in 2023. With Lunar New Year approaching, they thought Luong might bring his girlfriend home for the holiday. Ms. Tu's family drove there discreetly, observing Luong's house from a distance for any signs of abnormality. The day before the holiday, they unexpectedly met Luong's relatives on the street and were invited to their home. On that occasion, they inspected every room but found nothing.
It was not until 2025, when DNA confirmed Tieu Ly was the unidentified body recovered from the river in 2008, that Ms. Tu's family learned the truth.
 |
Ms. Tu wept while speaking about her daughter. Photo: Yangtse Evening Post |
The People's Procuratorate believes that Luong, due to a romantic dispute, deprived another person of life and should be held criminally responsible for intentional homicide. However, as Luong was a minor at the time of the crime, and has since confessed truthfully and voluntarily pleaded guilty, a lighter sentence may be considered.
Ms. Tu stated that after Luong's arrest, his family members were also investigated on suspicion of harboring a criminal. Currently, the family only hopes for strict legal punishment for the perpetrator.
Tue Anh (according to Yangtse Evening Post)
