Ex-boyfriend Identified as Suspect in Triple Murder

UPDATE: October 16, 2006 – Detectives revised the want on Tai Zhi Cui’s Toyota Sienna. Detectives are looking for a dark gray 2006 Toyota Sienna, model CE. The minivan has paper plates with red writing, which reads "Southbay Motors."

Los Angeles: Detectives assigned to Robbery Homicide Division believe they have identified the person responsible for the triple homicide discovered in Korea Town Saturday morning. Tai Zhi Cui, 55, is the ex-boyfriend of the woman found shot to death, along with two other men, at the Cinyuya Restaurant.

All three victims were discovered by the restaurant owner around 11:15 AM Saturday morning. Hae Chang Cho went to the restaurant looking for her husband, Jae Woong Cho, 46, after she became concerned when he did not come home overnight. She found her dead husband, along with another Korean man, and a 45-year-old waitress at the restaurant.

Robbery Homicide detectives worked throughout the day and night sifting through clues. They were able to eliminate robbery as a motive for the murders. By Sunday morning, their investigation pointed toward Tai Zhi Cui as a possible suspect. He has not been seen since the estimated time of the murders, and his current whereabouts is unknown.

"Detectives would like to speak to Tai Zhi Cui," said LAPD spokesman Lieutenant Paul Vernon. "We recommend he contact local police, where ever he might be, and make himself available to answer questions." Tai Zhi Cui is nearly 6 feet tall and weighs 190 pounds. His black hair is cut in a flat-top style.

The names of the second man and the woman found dead in the restaurant have been withheld pending notification of their families.

Anyone having contact with Cui should consider him armed and dangerous. Detectives are encouraging anyone with information about Cui to call Robbery Homicide Division at 213-485-2129, or during non-business hours, call the toll-free number at 1-877-LAWFULL (1-877-529-3855).