College student allegedly stabbed to death by stepfather while protecting her mother

Angelina Tran, a 21-year-old college student at the University of Washington, was allegedly stabbed to death by her stepfather while protecting her mother, KING 5 reports.

King County prosecutors have charged Nghiep Kein Chau, 54, with stabbing Tran over 100 times on August 7 in Seattle. They say Chau had attempted to kill his wife (Tran’s mother) before the young student intervened, The Seattle Times reports.

According to home security footage obtained by the Seattle Police, Chau punched Tran’s mother several times in the kitchen as she attempted to flee. Tran intervened but Chau continued to assault both women.

Police responded to reports of an assault at 5300 block of 31st Avenue South in Beacon Hill at around 4:55 a.m., KIRO 7 reports. Tran’s mother, who had made the call, answered the door. She was visibly injured.

Chau came downstairs holding a bloody kitchen knife as officers entered the home. According to KIRO 7, he dropped after being instructed to do so by the officers. After Chau was handcuffed, officers found Tran’s dead body lying in the kitchen.

The stepfather spoke to detectives through an interpreter. According to court documents reviewed by the Seattle Times, Chau told detectives he was angry with Tran’s mother because he believed she was going to divorce him and take his money. He told police he was trying to kill Tran’s mother and was angry with the college student for intervening.

Chau is currently being held on a $5 million bail. His arraignment is scheduled for August 31 at 8:30 a.m. in Courtroom E1201 in King County Superior Court, KIRO 7 reports.