A man is facing charges for allegedly executing a couple and setting their bodies and cars on fire in the California desert before stealing nearly $250,000 worth of luxury items from their home.
Huangting Gong, 30, has been charged with two counts of murder, one count of kidnapping, two counts of arson of property, and two counts of first degree burglary, the Orange County District Attorney's Office said Tuesday.
Gong has also been charged with two special circumstances enhancements for committing multiple murders, one special circumstances enhancement for committing murder during the commission of kidnapping, and two enhancements for discharging a firearm causing death, making him eligible for the death penalty.
"Depravity does not adequately describe the callousness involved to kill a human being and then drive around in the victim's own car with his body inside in order to carry out the rest of his plan," Orange County District Attorney Todd Spitzer said in a statement. "No one deserves the fate of being executed and then set on fire in the middle of the desert in a desperate attempt by a killer to cover up his crimes. We are committed to pursuing justice for the victims and their loved ones."
On Oct. 15, the Brea Police Department was contacted by a relative of 37-year-old Kuanlun Wang who said they had not heard from the man for several days. The relative reported that Wang was owed $80,000 by Gong, a business associate.
The relative said she had contacted Gong on Oct. 12, and he told her that Wang and his wife, 37-year-old Jing Li, had failed to arrive in New York City for a planned trip to meet an associate who could pay the $80,000 debt. Wang's family had not been aware of any planned trip to New York, however.
The relative contacted Gong again on Oct. 14 after seeing a man on Wang's home security camera. Gong allegedly denied it was him, then the relative's access to the video surveillance was cut off.
Following an investigation, Gong was arrested at Los Angeles International Airport on Nov. 5 after returning from Seattle.
According to investigators, Gong allegedly met Wang in the desert on Oct. 12, and shot him in the head. He allegedly put Wang's body in Wang's Tesla and drove back to Wang's home. There, Gong allegedly attacked Li with a hammer and forced her to provide the password to her phone.
Gong allegedly put Li inside her Tesla, drove to a desert area in San Bernardino, shot her, then burned her body. He then retrieved Wang's body from his home and disposed of it in a desert area in Riverside County, by burning the body. Gong allegedly took the Teslas to different desert areas and burned those.
Gong allegedly returned to Wang's home on Oct. 14 and stole nearly $250,000 worth of luxury watches, shoes, handbags and clothing.
Gong is scheduled to be arraigned on Dec. 2. If convicted, he faces a maximum sentence of life in prison without the possibility of parole, or the death penalty.
--with reporting by TMX
