A shocking incident unfolded at Jeju Sauna in Duluth, Georgia, where the body of a South Korean woman was found decomposed in the trunk of a parked car. Gwinnett County Police Department swiftly took action, leading to the arrest of five adults and one juvenile in connection to the tragic incident.
The victim, who had recently relocated to the United States to join a religious organization, met a horrifying fate. Eric Hyun, 26, was identified as the driver of the vehicle and was subsequently treated for unrelated injuries at an Atlanta area hospital. It was during this time that a family member discovered the woman’s body in the trunk, following Hyun’s instructions to retrieve an item from the car.
Further investigation led authorities to a residence associated with Hyun, located in Lawrenceville, where substantial evidence was uncovered. As a result, six individuals were charged with felony murder, false imprisonment, tampering with evidence, and concealing the death of another. The suspects, including Gawom Lee, Joonho Lee, Juoonhyum Lee, Hyunji Lee, and a 15-year-old, are all in custody, with no indication of additional victims.
The victim, aged in her 20s to mid-30s, had endured abuse and malnourishment at the hands of the suspects, who identified themselves as part of a group called the “Soldiers of Christ.” While malnourishment was identified as a contributing factor to her tragic passing, the exact cause of death is still under investigation. Authorities are working diligently to notify the victim’s family in South Korea.
The search of the Lawrenceville residence pointed to the basement as the likely site of the crime. While five of the suspects are U.S. citizens, Gawom Lee held a visiting visa. The investigation revealed that three brothers, including the juvenile, resided at the home. Eric Hyun had close family ties to the residence and had been a frequent visitor, even residing there for a period.
The victim’s ordeal likely began in late August, and she was discovered in the car’s trunk after several days. The case is being treated as a homicide, with the Gwinnett County Sheriff’s Office and the Gwinnett County District Attorney’s Office providing vital support in the ongoing investigation.