Ohio murder case: Suspect asks neighbor to record confession

Asia Nguyen-Duy walked into a neighbor’s home in Lorain County, Ohio, moments after shooting a college professor and his wife dead. Covered in scratches and blood, the suspect asked the resident to turn on a camera. They then admitted on video to killing the couple.

Nguyen-Duy, 31, appeared in court on Thursday. Several officers carried the defendant in and moved them to a chair before rolling them to the defense table. Court records indicate the suspect previously went by Daniel Jones and legally changed their name in 2025. During the hearing, Nguyen-Duy stated they are gender-neutral and prefer their current name.

Prosecutors say the suspect claimed they were escaping a cult while taking full responsibility for the acts. The video evidence emerged during a hearing where six murder counts, four felonious assault counts, and one tampering with evidence count were presented. The victims are 64-year-old Pipo Nguyen-Duy and 56-year-old Thi Tran Phong.

Police first became involved on Wednesday morning. Officers discovered a smoldering, modified vehicle in an Oberlin College parking lot. The car was registered to Nguyen-Duy and contained loose ammunition and magazine packaging. A welfare check at the victims' home followed, where officers found both men dead from multiple gunshot wounds.

Pipo Nguyen-Duy served as a studio art professor at Oberlin College. He was also an internationally exhibited photographer. A judge set bond at $3 million and bound the case over to county common pleas court.