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 that of an elderly San Pablo woman who authorities say was killed by her son-in-law.

A DNA profile of the body matched that of Que Thi Tran, 74, San Pablo police said Tuesday.

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

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

“This is an active and ongoing investigation and the location of victim Tho Ly’s remains is unconfirmed,” police said.

Tran and Ly were reported missing on September 13. In December, police appealed to the public to help find them. A press release at the time said the mother and daughter “reportedly traveled to the Southern California area following a domestic dispute.”

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

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