Nguyen Thi Hong Bich, 38, residing in Vinh Thanh, Nhon Trach District, has admitted to the police that she planned and executed the murders of her husband and two nieces due to personal conflicts within the family.
The chilling sequence of events began with Bích's plot to poison her nephew, N.H.B.T., aged 18. After a domestic disagreement in June, Bích devised a plan to poison T. under the guise of treating his acne. On June 22, Bich offered T. a capsule containing cyanide instead of the promised liver detox medication. T. fell unconscious but was fortunately discovered in time and rushed to Le Van Thinh Hospital in Thu Duc, Ho Chi Minh City. Medical tests confirmed the presence of cyanide in his system.
The incident prompted a relative, Mr. T.V.B., to report to the authorities, citing concerns about five other family members who had died under mysterious circumstances over the past year. This led to a further investigation by the Dong Nai Provincial Police.
On July 5, police detained Bích on charges of murder. She then confessed to the killings of her husband and two nieces between October 2023 and June 2024. Bích detailed how she had placed cyanide into a capsule and mixed it with her husband’s medication, which he later consumed, resulting in his death.
Further investigation led to the discovery of a 0.7 kg bottle of potassium cyanide hidden in a nearby cemetery, which Bích identified for the police. Laboratory tests confirmed the substance as the highly toxic chemical.
Bich disclosed that she was in debt and had benefited from her husband's life insurance policy, receiving 800 million VND (approximately $34,000). She used the funds to settle her debts and for personal expenses.
The authorities are continuing their investigation to uncover the full extent of Bích's motives and any other potential crimes.
Hoang Anh