Authorities in Washington state have charged a 30-year-old man with criminal homicide following the death of his mother inside a suburban Auburn condominium, a case investigators describe as violent and deeply disturbing.
Antony Ton Le was taken into custody Tuesday and formally charged in connection with the killing of his mother, Thuy Nu Thu Ton, according to court records. Deputies with the King County Sheriff’s Office responded to a 911 call around 2 p.m. at a condominium complex on the 28700 block of 34th Avenue South in Auburn.
The emergency call was placed by the condominium’s owner, who told dispatchers that Ton, his roommate, was “on the ground wrapped in blankets” and had been “possibly assaulted” by her son. The caller told investigators that Le, who lived in the home, had been diagnosed with schizophrenia and bipolar disorder and had stopped taking his prescribed medication months earlier, becoming “increasingly hostile” and “prone to violence.”
When deputies and medical personnel arrived, they attempted lifesaving measures, but Ton was pronounced dead at 2:09 p.m., according to a probable cause affidavit. A tactical team secured the area and later breached the residence, finding Le inside his bedroom. He was arrested without incident and transported to SeaTac City Hall.
Investigators said the condo owner told them Ton had been alive and using her phone on the couch when he left for work earlier that day. Le was believed to be in his room at the time. When the owner returned home, he noticed a pile of blankets in the living room that “shouldn’t have been there.” Beneath them, he found Ton “lying on her back with her eyes open and her arms folded across her chest,” with what he described as severe and obvious facial injuries.
During a recorded interrogation, Le allegedly admitted to killing his mother following an argument over school and finances. Detectives said he described “experiencing rage and anger” toward her before detailing the alleged assault.
“He grabbed Thuy in a ‘choke hold’ and threw her to the ground. [Le] began ‘curb stomping’ his mother’s neck,” the affidavit states. “[Le] noted how angry he was and that he likely killed her on the ‘third stomp’ and ‘over-killed her’ and stomped her four or five more times. After the assault, [Le] tried to ‘help’ Thuy by putting pillows and blankets on top of her. [Le] stated that he heard Thuy ‘gurgling’ for about 30 minutes before she died. [Le] then gave her a hug.”
According to investigators, Le said he did not call 911 because he believed the condo owner would return home soon and contact authorities.
Le is currently being held at the King County Jail on $2 million bond. His first court appearance is scheduled for Friday.
