Vietnamese-origin couple suspected of killing neighbor after dispute over barbecue smoke

A Toronto court is trying a Vietnamese-origin couple accused of murdering their neighbor, potentially linked to complaints about barbecue smoke.

A Toronto court has begun the trial of Khoa Tran, 36, and his wife Quynh Isabelle Nguyen, 30, a Vietnamese-origin couple accused of murdering their neighbor, filmmaker Reeyaz Habib, in the Liberty Village area in 2023. The prosecution suggests the motive may stem from a dispute over barbecue smoke. Tran faces a murder charge, while Nguyen is charged with accessory after the fact and indignity to a human body. Both have pleaded not guilty.

On 8/6/2023, Toronto authorities found the body of 53-year-old Reeyaz Habib in a trash compactor at a Liberty Village apartment complex. Habib resided in an apartment located directly above Tran and Nguyen's townhouse on Western Battery Road.

Filmmaker Reeyaz Habib (left) and the couple Tran, Nguyen. Photo: Global News

During his opening statement to the jury, assistant prosecutor Nathaniel Smith stated that Habib had frequently voiced his annoyance regarding barbecue smoke emanating from Tran and Nguyen's residence and drifting up to his apartment. An agreement had been reached where Tran would notify Habib via text message before using his barbecue grill.

The court called Linh Hua, who resided with the couple, to testify. Hua recounted that she typically slept in the living room, but on the night of 6/6/2023—two days before Habib's body was discovered—Tran requested she sleep with Nguyen in the bedroom, allowing him to work in the living room. Hua testified that she awoke to loud footsteps, sounds of a chase, and furniture being dragged, followed by shouts of "Help! Help!". Nguyen, however, instructed her to return to sleep, remarking, "Perhaps they are filming".

When police arrived at the residence on 9/6/2023, Hua stated that Tran and Nguyen repeatedly instructed her not to speak with officers. Hua testified, referring to the night of 6/6/2023, that "They told me I had the right to remain silent, but if I was compelled, I should claim all three of us were in the bedroom that night".

Khoa Tran leaving Toronto Superior Court, 6/5/2023. Photo: Toronto Star

Hua moved out following Tran's arrest in 2023. Nguyen persisted in urging her silence, as evidenced by a series of Facebook messages presented in court. In a message dated 3/7/2023, Nguyen wrote, "Please promise me not to say anything about Tran's case. You must remain silent and request to speak with a lawyer first. Failing to do so will put us at risk. I reiterate this because it is your only means of self-protection".

Hua also testified to witnessing a prior argument between Habib and Tran on 20/5/2023. This incident took place while she and Tran were barbecuing on their patio, located directly beneath Habib's apartment. Hua described Habib descending from his unit, demanding Tran move the grill, then turning and slamming his door shut, appearing angry. Later that day, she observed Tran and Habib walking together within the apartment complex.

The trial for Tran and Nguyen is anticipated to last approximately 4 weeks. Investigators discovered traces of the couple's DNA on tape used to wrap Habib's body.