Body pulled from East Bay estuary identified as one of two San Pablo murder victims

SAN PABLO – A body pulled from an East Bay estuary last fall has been identified as an elderly San Pablo woman that authorities believe was killed by her son-in-law.

A DNA profile of the body matched that of 74-year-old Que Thi Tran, the San Pablo Police Department said Tuesday.

Tran’s son-in-law, 41-year-old San Pablo resident Phuc Hong Vo, has been charged with her murder, as well as the murder of his wife, 40-year-old Tho Ngoc Ly.

Ly’s body has not been recovered. Authorities on Tuesday searched an estuary in the city of Alameda, where Tran’s body was found on Sept. 30, 2023, according to police.

“This is an active and ongoing investigation and the location of victim Tho Ly’s remains are not confirmed,” police said.

Tran and Ly were reported missing on Sept. 13. In December, police called on the public to help find them. A news release at the time said the mother and daughter “reportedly traveled to the Southern California region following a family argument.”

Their most recent confirmed sighting was at the Sutter Avenue home where Vo and both victims lived.

Vo later became a suspect after detectives saw him driving his wife’s supposed missing vehicle, which was later found in Oakland on Dec. 5, police said. He was arrested Feb. 29.

Anyone with information related to the case can contact the SPPD Investigations Division at 510-215-3150.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates.