Slain victims’ bags missing

Linxiang Cui, older sister of slain baker Linhua Cui, seeks assistance from the Chinese Association of Saipan as her younger brother, Hulin Cui, looks on. Nancy Zhang, a member of the Chinese Association, assisted the two in filling up the application form yesterday afternoon. Linxiang and Hulin Cui, who arrived on Saipan over the weekend, are appealing for justice and the arrest of the killer/s. (Ferdie de la Torre)

The shoulder bags of the two women who were shot dead inside a restaurant in San Antonio could not be found and the police confirmed yesterday that the bags were missing at the crime scene.

As this developed, family members of the victims arrived on Saipan over the weekend.

Department of Public Safety spokesman Adrian Pangelinan said yesterday that it was Dr. Jeremy Devey of the Commonwealth Health Center who pronounced dead the first victim, identified as 43-year-old Ria Na Lim, at 9:47am, and the second victim, identified as 53-year-old Lim Hua Choi, at 9:54am.

Saipan Tribune sources, however, identified the victims as Li Na Lim, a Korean, and Linhua Cui, a Chinese-Korean.

Lim used to be a tour guide and later owned the Rice Cake Best Food Restaurant, where she and Cui were shot. Cui was a former garment factory worker and subsequently became a baker at Paris Croissant. Cui was helping Lim in the restaurant.

Lim’s friends confirmed with Saipan Tribune that the correct name is Li Na Lim and not Ria Na Lim. Cui’s brother and sisters also confirmed with Saipan Tribune that the other victim’s name is Linhua Cui and not Lim Hua Choi.

When asked about the inconsistency, Pangelinan said he will verify the names with police detectives.

In a press statement yesterday, Pangelinan said individuals close to the victims told police that both victims always carried with them shoulder bags. Pangelinan said police failed to locate the shoulder bags at the scene. The press statement did not state any significance for the missing bags.

One shoulder bag is described as white in color with a floral design, from an unknown brand. The second bag is described as black in color, from an unknown brand.

Pangelinan said police are also reviewing surveillance footage from neighboring establishments and buildings.

He said police will share more details about the footage with the public, if it will help with the investigation into this case.

Pangelinan asked the public to be on the lookout for the two shoulder bags.

“If you or anyone notices the described bags in an unusual area or place, please do not hesitate, no matter how insignificant it may seem and call 911, or the Criminal Investigation Bureau at 664-9042,” he said, adding that anyone who wishes to remain anonymous may call the CNMI Crime Stoppers hotline at 234-727.

Pangelinan said preliminary investigation revealed that both victims were shot.

He said more details will follow after an autopsy has been performed.

The DPS spokesman said DPS is working with the Office of the Attorney General for an autopsy to be performed by a medical examiner.

DPS said that it received a call last Friday at 7:35am about two unresponsive individuals at a Korean restaurant in San Antonio.

Responding police officers confirmed the report. DPS crime scene technicians secured the area.

Both victims were then transported to the Commonwealth Health Center.

Saipan Tribune learned that Linhua Cui’s older sister, Linxiang Cui, arrived on Saipan from South Korea last Saturday. Their younger brother, Hulin Cui, came to the island from China the following day.

Linxing Cui and Hulin Cui, with the assistance of victim Cui’s friend, went to the Chinese Association of Saipan yesterday to seek help.

Nancy Zhang of the Chinese Association said that they have already contacted the Chinese consulate in Los Angeles about the incident.

Zhang said the consulate will communicate with the CNMI government for whatever it can do to help the investigation and the family.

Saipan Tribune also learned that victim Lim’s parents, sister, and another family member arrived on Saipan last Saturday.

A property manager of an apartment in Gualo Rai said that Lim just moved into their apartment in 2016. The property manager described Lim as a nice lady who is always busy.

Expo Tour tour coordinator Young Ae Kim said that Lim was like a sister to her. She said Lim worked for their company for a year as a tour guide. Lim left their company two and a half years ago to work for another tour agent.

She said Lim then put up a new company that owns the Rice Cake Best Food Restaurant.

Ae said she the last time she saw her friend was two weeks ago when she bought rice cakes at her restaurant.

Ae said that Lim’s restaurant has many Korean customers.