CONTRA COSTA, CA - A man from California is accused of murdering his wife and mother-in-law, and then getting his alleged mistress to destroy evidence of the alleged crimes.
The alleged suspect, 43-year-old Howard Wang, is facing charges including two counts of murder with special circumstances enhancements as well as dissuading a witness for reporting a crime, and making criminal threats of death and great bodily injury for two previous incidents involving his wife, Linlin Guo, People reported.
In a press release from the Contra Costa District Attorney's Office, prosecutors said that Guo and her mother, Beimin Cheng, were both found with their throats slit inside the family's multimillion-dollar compound in Walnut Creek. Howard allegedly told police that an intruder had killed the two women and managed to escape, despite Howard firing multiple bullets at the individual.
During the murders, the couple's twin daughters, eight, were also home. A little over a week after Howard was booked into custody, police arrested 45-year-old Yan wang, whom the DA's office said was in a relationship with Howard. Yan has been charged with destroying evidence, being an accessory after the fact, and first-degree residential burglary.
She allegedly "aided Howard Wang with knowledge following the murders and with intent to help him avoid arrest, trial, conviction, and punishment for killing his wife," according to the DA.
She is also accused of entering Howard's home after the murders with the intent to commit larceny and destroying cellphones to prevent evidence from being produced. KTVU reported that at the first court hearing, Yan got into a physical altercation with a member of the victim's family.
Deputies intervened to separate her from the relatives. "This case serves as a sobering reminder of domestic violence's far-reaching consequences," the DA Diana Becton said in a statement. "Our office will pursue justice with the seriousness and urgency this tragedy demands."
Back in 2024, Howard previously filed for divorce, but then withdrew his petition later that same year. Howard is currently being held without bail. If convicted, he could face life in prison.
The alleged suspect, 43-year-old Howard Wang, is facing charges including two counts of murder with special circumstances enhancements as well as dissuading a witness for reporting a crime, and making criminal threats of death and great bodily injury for two previous incidents involving his wife, Linlin Guo, People reported.
In a press release from the Contra Costa District Attorney's Office, prosecutors said that Guo and her mother, Beimin Cheng, were both found with their throats slit inside the family's multimillion-dollar compound in Walnut Creek. Howard allegedly told police that an intruder had killed the two women and managed to escape, despite Howard firing multiple bullets at the individual.
During the murders, the couple's twin daughters, eight, were also home. A little over a week after Howard was booked into custody, police arrested 45-year-old Yan wang, whom the DA's office said was in a relationship with Howard. Yan has been charged with destroying evidence, being an accessory after the fact, and first-degree residential burglary.
She allegedly "aided Howard Wang with knowledge following the murders and with intent to help him avoid arrest, trial, conviction, and punishment for killing his wife," according to the DA.
She is also accused of entering Howard's home after the murders with the intent to commit larceny and destroying cellphones to prevent evidence from being produced. KTVU reported that at the first court hearing, Yan got into a physical altercation with a member of the victim's family.
Deputies intervened to separate her from the relatives. "This case serves as a sobering reminder of domestic violence's far-reaching consequences," the DA Diana Becton said in a statement. "Our office will pursue justice with the seriousness and urgency this tragedy demands."
Back in 2024, Howard previously filed for divorce, but then withdrew his petition later that same year. Howard is currently being held without bail. If convicted, he could face life in prison.
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