Suspect in Slaying of Girlfriend May Be in Canadian Jail

SEAL BEACH — Canadian authorities may have arrested the 22-year-old man being sought by police in connection with his girlfriend’s slaying three months ago, officials said Friday.

Phong Thanh Nguyen of Fountain Valley was last seen May 17, the night his girlfriend went on a date with him and never returned, police said. Two weeks later, the body of Kristie Nguyen of Anaheim was found in the trunk of a car on Electric Avenue in Seal Beach. She had been shot in the torso.

Police were contacted Friday by Canadian officials who believe they have Nguyen in custody on unrelated charges. Within the next few days, Seal Beach detectives will go to Canada to see if the suspect is Nguyen.

Detective Darrell Hardin said Nguyen and his girlfriend had been having trouble with their relationship shortly before her killing, and the couple had at least one breakup in the past year.

Police were alerted to the green Honda Civic in Seal Beach by neighbors, who complained of “a foul smell” coming from the car, Lt. Kenneth Mollohan said. The car had been parked in the same spot for at least two weeks before officers opened the trunk and discovered the badly decomposed body.

The victim was identified through dental records, and police have since been looking for Nguyen.