Congress has cut federal funding for public media — a $3.4 million loss for LAist. We count on readers like you to protect our nonprofit newsroom. Become a monthly member and sustain local journalism.
This is an archival story that predates current editorial management.
This archival content was written, edited, and published prior to LAist's acquisition by its current owner, Southern California Public Radio ("SCPR"). Content, such as language choice and subject matter, in archival articles therefore may not align with SCPR's current editorial standards. To learn more about those standards and why we make this distinction, please click here.
'Horrific' Killing Of Family With 5-Year-Old Daughter Likely Not Random, Investigators Say
Outside of the home of the family (Photo courtesy of the Santa Barbara Sheriff's Office)
()
A family of three were found dead in their home near Santa Barbara and sheriff's investigators are now searching for possible suspects and witnesses. Following a "welfare check" on a home in a quiet neighborhood in the Goleta Valley on Wednesday evening, Santa Barbara County Sheriff's deputies found the bodies of a husband and wife and their 5-year-old daughter inside the home, according to local ABC affiliate KEYT. After obtaining a search warrant for the home on the 4600 block of Greenhill Way, deputies found the vicitims who have been identified as Dr. Weidong Henry Han, 57; his wife, Huijie Yu, 29; and their daughter, Emily Han.
Investigators have not yet released information about how the family was killed or any potential motive for the triple homicide, though they don't suspect that it was random.
"Sheriff's detectives are actively investigating this case and are working around the clock to determine who is responsible for this horrific crime," sheriff's spokeswoman Kelly Hoover told the L.A. Times. "Detectives are following up on all leads, and while they are not ruling out any possibilities, early indications are that this was not a random attack."
According to the Times, Han owned and ran the Santa Barbara Herb Clinic, where he practiced Chinese herbal medicine.
Support for LAist comes from
Sheriff's investigators are now looking for witnesses that could help lead them to the person or persons responsible for the killings.
Anyone with information is encouraged to call the sheriff's anonymous tip line at (805) 681-4171.
As Editor-in-Chief of our newsroom, I’m extremely proud of the work our top-notch journalists are doing here at LAist. We’re doing more hard-hitting watchdog journalism than ever before — powerful reporting on the economy, elections, climate and the homelessness crisis that is making a difference in your lives. At the same time, it’s never been more difficult to maintain a paywall-free, independent news source that informs, inspires, and engages everyone.
Simply put, we cannot do this essential work without your help. Federal funding for public media has been clawed back by Congress and that means LAist has lost $3.4 million in federal funding over the next two years. So we’re asking for your help. LAist has been there for you and we’re asking you to be here for us.
We rely on donations from readers like you to stay independent, which keeps our nonprofit newsroom strong and accountable to you.
No matter where you stand on the political spectrum, press freedom is at the core of keeping our nation free and fair. And as the landscape of free press changes, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust, but the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news from our community.
Please take action today to support your trusted source for local news with a donation that makes sense for your budget.
Thank you for your generous support and believing in independent news.
Chip in now to fund your local journalism
(
LAist
)
Trending on LAist
-
With less to prove than LA, the city is becoming a center of impressive culinary creativity. -
Nearly 470 sections of guardrailing were stolen in the last fiscal year in L.A. and Ventura counties.
-
Monarch butterflies are on a path to extinction, but there is a way to support them — and maybe see them in your own yard — by planting milkweed.
-
With California voters facing a decision on redistricting this November, Surf City is poised to join the brewing battle over Congressional voting districts.
-
The drug dealer, the last of five defendants to plead guilty to federal charges linked to the 'Friends' actor’s death, will face a maximum sentence of 65 years in prison.
-
The weather’s been a little different lately, with humidity, isolated rain and wind gusts throughout much of Southern California. What’s causing the late-summer bout of gray?
Best of LAist