A tragic incident unfolded at the University of Washington in Seattle when a 21-year-old student, Angelina Tran, was brutally stabbed over 100 times by her stepfather as she tried to defend her mother from his abusive behavior. The court documents obtained by HuffPost reveal that on the night of August 7, Angelina woke up to the sound of commotion in the family’s kitchen and discovered her mother being beaten by her stepfather, Nghiep Kein Chau, aged 54. Showing immense courage, Angelina intervened, allowing her mother to escape and seek refuge in a nearby bedroom. However, Chau mercilessly continued his attack on Angelina, resulting in her untimely death.
Chau now faces charges of first-degree murder and first-degree attempted murder and is set to appear in court on August 31. Angelina Tran, a passionate student of human-centered design and engineering, was pursuing her education at the University of Washington. Known for her dedication to designing for accessibility and inclusivity, Angelina leaves behind a legacy cherished by her professors and peers.
According to a police statement, surveillance footage from that fateful night shows Chau repeatedly punching Angelina’s mother in the face before Angelina intervened. She bravely stood between Chau and her mother, imploring him to stop. Despite her efforts, Chau continued to assault both Angelina and her mother. Angelina’s mother managed to break free and flee downstairs, while Angelina and Chau fell near a dog kennel in the midst of the chaos.
In a horrifying turn of events, Chau dragged Angelina, who was still on top of the dog kennel, towards a kitchen cabinet and retrieved multiple knives. As Angelina fought back, Chau relentlessly stabbed her, even after she had ceased to show signs of life. Chau admitted to the police that he took breaks during the attack and changed his clothes due to being covered in blood and feeling cold.
Witnessing this disturbing scene, Chau paused his assault on Angelina to search for her mother throughout the house, expressing his intention to kill her as well. Miraculously, Angelina’s mother had managed to hide and called 911 for help. When the police arrived, they found Angelina’s mother visibly distressed, her face covered in fresh injuries. Tran’s grandmother accompanied her. And upstairs, they discovered Angelina’s lifeless body.
Court records indicate that Chau and Angelina’s mother had been together for 19 years and got married last year. According to Chau, the argument between him and Angelina’s mother escalated violently due to financial disagreements, leading to the assault that claimed Angelina’s life. In memory of Angelina, her supporters have initiated a GoFundMe fundraiser for the National Asian Pacific Center on Aging, highlighting her dedication to helping older adults.
The University of Washington mourns the loss of one of its students and expressed deep sorrow over this devastating incident. The university stands ready to provide support and counseling to students, faculty, and staff affected by this tragedy.
Julie Kientz, professor and chair of human-centered design and engineering at the University of Washington, paid a heartfelt tribute to Angelina, emphasizing her exceptional qualities as a student and her unwavering passion for designing for accessibility and inclusivity. Angelina’s active involvement in various on and off-campus organizations further showcased her commitment to making a difference.
Statistics from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reveal that 1 in 3 women have experienced physical violence from their intimate partners in their lifetime. If you or someone you know is in need of assistance, the National Domestic Violence Hotline in the U.S. can be reached at 1-800-799-SAFE (7233).
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