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| The primary suspect of the double murder of parents of an infamous stock swindler is escorted into a police station in Anyang, Gyeonggi Province, Monday. Yonhap |
By Oh Young-jin
The primary suspect of the double murder of parents of a notorious stock swindler stored the bodies in a refrigerator and a cabinet after killing them and ran away with 500 million won or $442,000, police said in a briefing Monday.
Gyeonggi police allege that the suspect, identified as a Kim, 34, had killed them in their house in Anyang with the help of three accomplices on Feb. 25-26. The three were recruited by Kim through the internet and acted as couriers. It was not determined whether they were involved in the actual act of murder.
The deceased were parents of Lee Hee-jin, 33, once known as the upscale Gangnam's "Cheongdam-dong's rich stock man." He is now serving a five-year prison term for illegal stock deals, having appeared as a stock expert in TV programs and pretended to be a wealthy business man by showing off supercars and relations with top stars on his SNS. He has been ordered to pay 33 billion won in fines.
Kim had the refrigerator containing the body of Lee's father moved by a moving company to a warehouse in Pyeongtaek, the police said after overnight questioning. Kim was apprehended Sunday.
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| The primary suspect of the murder of a stock swindler covers his face with the hood of his parka Monday. Yonhap |
The police started their probe after receiving a report from Lee's younger brother that he couldn't get in touch with his parents on Saturday. The younger brother had reportedly been involved in the stock scam.
After checking CCTV, the vehicle Kim had used was identified and an alert for arrest was issued before he was taken into custody. The body of the mother was found in the residence.
Kim told the police that he owed the deceased 20 million won but police believed that the amount was too small for the crime. Police are considering the possibility that the murder had to do with Lee's illegal stock trades.
