A man in his 50s who killed five family members, including parents and children, reportedly told police he committed the crime because he was in a situation where he would incur a large debt.
According to police on the 16th, the Yongin Western Police Station is investigating A, who was urgently arrested on charges of murder and familial murder, regarding the motive for the crime. A reportedly acknowledged the allegations, saying, “I was sued for fraudulent leasing by contractors while running an apartment sales business and incurred a large debt.” He indicated that he committed the crime because he could not let his family take on the debt.
It is true that a complaint regarding A has been filed for fraud at the Gwangju Provincial Police Agency, but police are continuing additional investigations as A's confession alone cannot confirm the motive for the crime. Police plan to apply for an arrest warrant for A.
A is accused of strangling five family members, including his parents in their 80s, his wife in her 50s, and two daughters in their 10s to 20s, on the afternoon of the 14th at his apartment home in Yongin. The National Forensic Service indicated that the cause of death for the victims appears to be “typical strangulation.” A clearer cause of death is expected to be determined after the results of a detailed autopsy.
Investigations revealed that A administered sleeping pills to his family before committing the crime. After the incident, A left a note stating the intent of “I will kill everyone, and I will die too” and fled to an officetel in Gwangju using a vehicle on the early morning of the 15th before being caught by police the same morning.
At the time of his arrest, A attempted to make an extreme choice and was in a state where he could not provide a statement; however, after being transferred to a nearby hospital for recovery, he was escorted to the Yongin Western Police Station that afternoon.