Vietnam Man Drives Lexus Into His Own Siblings After Family Property Dispute Leaving Sister Dead

Police in Tay Ninh Province have detained 46 year old Nguyen Tan Thanh after he deliberately drove a Lexus SUV into several of his sisters during a long running family conflict, killing his 42 year old sister and injuring two others.

Nguyen Tan Thanh at the time of his arrest. Photo: Provided by the police

Thanh was arrested on 1 December and is under criminal investigation for murder.

A Violent Act Rooted in a Years Long Feud

According to investigators, Thanh told police he had been financially successful while operating a bottled water company named Dewo in Cambodia around 2003. During those years, he regularly sent money home for his mother and siblings to buy land and build houses.

In 2007, Thanh was arrested in Cambodia for murder and sentenced to 48 years in prison. He served 15 years and was released in 2022.

While he was incarcerated, his family visited him and, according to Thanh, promised to return property purchased with his money once he returned home. After his release, however, Thanh said he was unable to reclaim the assets, leading to repeated disputes.

Local authorities had already mediated two times on 23 July and 8 August, but the conflict remained unresolved.

Attack Captured on Camera

At around midday on 30 November, Thanh drove past the home of his 49 year old sister Nguyen Thi Hanh in Ben Cau Commune. She sprayed water at his Lexus as he passed. Thanh initially ignored the act and continued driving back to his home about 2 kilometers away.

After realizing his fuel tank was low, Thanh drove toward a nearby gas station. When passing his sister’s home again, he was sprayed with water a second time. Enraged, Thanh reversed his vehicle, then accelerated directly into Hanh and two other sisters who were standing in the yard.

Video footage shows the Lexus striking a motorbike and violently throwing his 42 year old sister Nguyen Thi Be Sau several meters. Thanh then reversed again, attempting to hit Hanh, but she escaped.

Be Sau was rushed to a hospital but died shortly after. Hanh and another sister suffered minor injuries.

After the attack, Thanh fled on a motorbike toward the Moc Bai border area near Cambodia.

Swift Arrest Near the Border

Tay Ninh Police and border guards launched an immediate manhunt. At about 14:00, officers located Thanh hiding in the Tho Mo area of My Quy Commune and arrested him.

Authorities are now interviewing relatives and witnesses to determine the full motive behind the attack.