Six individuals who claimed to be affiliated with a religious organization known as the Soldiers of Christ have been apprehended for their involvement in the tragic demise of a South Korean female. Disturbingly, the victim, believed to be in her twenties or thirties, was discovered on Tuesday evening in the trunk of a vehicle situated outside Jeju Sauna, a well-known South Korean spa situated in Duluth, a city approximately 25 miles north of Atlanta, as relayed by the Gwinnett County Police Department. It is further stated that she was severely emaciated, with a weight of around 70 pounds.
Duluth's population comprises almost 25% Asians, as per the US Census Bureau.
While the police continue to investigate the exact cause of death, the medical examiners office indicates that malnourishment may have played a role in the woman's demise.
The department stated that the woman is believed to have suffered from physical abuse and lack of proper nutrition for a prolonged period. According to detectives, the woman relocated to the United States from South Korea in the summer of this year with the intention of joining a religious organization.
On the evening of September 12, 2023, police officers responded to a suspicious activity call outside of the Jeju Sauna in Duluth, Georgia.
Gwinnett County Police
Law enforcement officers discovered the woman confined in the car's trunk when Eric Hyun, a 26-year-old suspect, parked his vehicle in a parking lot and was picked up by a family member. Later on, Hyun requested the family member to retrieve something from his car, unknowingly revealing the presence of the woman in the trunk. Upon discovering her lifeless body, the family member promptly contacted 911, as stated by the police department.
Authorities conducted a search of a home linked to the vehicle, where they claim to have found the woman's body. Police allege that the "Soldiers of Christ" group beat and held the victim in the residence until her death, although the exact time of her demise has not been specified.
Police have identified the suspects as Gawom Lee, 26; Joonho Lee, 26; Hyunji Lee, 25; Juoonhyum Lee, 22; and Hyun, as well as a 15-year-old individual who has been charged as an adult. CNN will not disclose the name of the underage suspect.
The police have charged all of them with felony murder, false imprisonment, tampering with evidence, and concealing the death of another individual.
CNN has been unable to find lawyers representing the six suspects for comment.
The South Korean consulate in Atlanta declined to comment on the case when contacted by CNN.
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This photo of a crime scene, with areas of blood redacted, was released by Gwinnett County Police.
Gwinnett County Police
One of the individuals under suspicion is a South Korean national who is currently in the country on a visa, as confirmed by the authorities. The rest of the suspects are American citizens.
Photographs of the basement, which have been released by the police, reveal a meticulously organized storage room with shelves containing laundry and various supplies. Notably, the images have been altered by the department to obscure the significant bloodstains present on the room's carpet.
Authorities did not release the name of the victim, pending notification of her death to her family in South Korea.