Tuesday, Jul. 01, 2008

Police ID teen victim, mother, stepfather

Officers say Xang Lee killed his stepdaughter Eileen Her and himself.

By VICTOR A. PATTON
vpatton@mercedsun-star.com

Merced police have identified a 17-year-old girl who was killed Sunday in an apparent murder-suicide as Eileen Her.

The girl's mother, 32-year-old Neng Moua, remains in critical condition in a Modesto hospital. Police say she as shot in the torso by her husband, 47-year-old Xang Lee.

Police responded to the home at 336 Serano St. on Sunday after receiving a 2:41 a.m. phone call from Moua, who told police that Lee, had broken into her house and was trying to kill her, said police Cmdr. Floyd Higdon.

Higdon said police have not determined a motive -- and Moua has been unable to talk because of her injuries.

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Lee is believed to be the stepfather of the victim, police said. Neighbors said the girl was killed after her birthday party.

Inside the house, police discovered Her's body with a single gunshot wound to the head. Police found Lee on the floor unresponsive with no visible wounds, Higdon said. Lee was later pronounced dead.

Police arrived at the scene after Moua ran to a neighbor's house, saying that her husband was trying to kill her. The neighbors, who did not know the mother, called 911.

Investigators also found six children inside the home, ranging from 6 months to 11 years old.

Moua is believed to have fathered the five youngest of those children, Higdon said.

Police are asking anyone with information to call Sgt. Scott Skinner at (209) 385-4902 or the department's anonymous tip line at (209) 385-4725.

Reporter Victor A. Patton can be reached at (209) 385-2431 or vpatton@mercedsun-star.com.