UPDATE: Arrest made in Redding double slaying – Victims ID’d

April 25, 2020 Trevor Montgomery

UPDATED: Saturday, April 25, 11:50 a.m.

See Original Story below.

REDDING — Authorities investigating a double slaying in Redding say they have identified and arrested a man they allege was responsible for fatally shooting two men.

The victims’ bodies were discovered at a private residence on the 2500 block of Bunker St. Thursday, April 23.

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Redding police officers began investigating the mens’ deaths after they were dispatched to the residence shortly after 5 p.m., Redding Police Lt. Levi Solada said today in an updated press release that did not specify what originally led officers to the location.

When officers arrived they found the lifeless bodies of two men and immediately designated the area a crime scene and summoned investigators and other assistance to the location.

Officials investigating the double fatal shooting of two men inside a Redding home arrested 74-year-old, Nouan Mokthephathai, of Redding, in connection with the murders. RPD photo

The victims, who both died from gunshot wounds according to Solada, have since been identified as 68-year-old, Ya Sosavanh, and 64-year-old, Cheng Chu. Both men were from Redding.

“Since the discovery of the two victims, investigators have interviewed multiple witnesses, obtained evidence at the scene and reviewed surveillance footage in the area,” Solada later explained.

As their investigation was continuing, Redding PD was assisted by the California Department of Justice (DOJ) who assisted with processing the scene where the victims were located.

Numerous items of evidence were eventually recovered from inside the residence, according to the Lt.

“Much of this evidence is still being reviewed and processed by the DOJ Bureau of Forensic Services Redding Regional Laboratory and by the Redding Police Department,” explained Solada.

As their investigation was continuing, officials gathered information and developed leads that led them to identifying a neighbor, Nouan Mokthephathai, 74-years-old, of Redding, as a possible suspect in the double murder.

“Investigators learned of ongoing disputes between Mokthephathai and the two victims respectively,” said Solada.

Based on their investigation, the night after the mens’ bodies were discovered investigators served a search warrant at Mokthephathai’s residence where they contacted and detained him outside the home.

During the service of the warrant investigators located and seized numerous items of evidence they say tied Mokthephathai to the crime scene and the victims.

A Redding PD official interviews Mokthephathai in connection with the double slaying of two men inside a Redding residence. RPD photo

Based on their investigation, officials arrested Mokthephathai and transported him to Shasta County Jail in Redding, where he was booked on suspicion of two counts of homicide.

At the time of Redding PD’s update, Mokthephathai was being held on $1 million bail.

Anyone with additional information regarding this investigation is urged to immediately contact the Redding Police Investigations Division at (530) 225-4200. Callers can refer to incident file number 20R026049 and can remain anonymous.

Original Story: Officials investigating after two men found dead in Redding home

REDDING — Authorities say they are conducting a “suspicious death” investigation after the bodies of two men were found inside a Redding residence Thursday afternoon, April 23.

Although officials have said the victims – who have not yet been publicly identified – died under suspicious circumstances, witnesses at the scene familiar with the incident reported the two men were possibly found shot to death.

Redding police officers began investigating the mens’ deaths after they were dispatched to a residence on the 2500 block of Bunker St. shortly after 5 p.m., according to Redding Police Lt. Levi Solada; who did not specify what originally led officers to the location.

When officers arrived they found the lifeless bodies of two men and immediately designated the area a crime scene and summoned investigators and other assistance to the location.

As of this report, investigators remain at the scene and their investigation is active and ongoing.

“At this time, there is no known threat to the public,” reported Solada.

This is a developing story that will be updated as new information is available.

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Contact the writer: [email protected]

Trevor Montgomery, 48, moved in 2017 to the Intermountain area of Shasta County from Riverside County and runs Riverside County News Source and Shasta County News Source. Additionally, he writes or has written for several other news organizations; including Riverside County based newspapers, Valley News, (the now defunct) Valley Chronicle, Anza Valley Outlook, and Hemet & San Jacinto Chronicle; as well as Bonsall/Fallbrook Village News in San Diego County and Mountain Echo in Shasta County.

Trevor spent 10 years in the U.S. Army as an Orthopedic Specialist before joining the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department in 1998. He was medically retired after losing his leg, breaking his back, and suffering both spinal cord and brain injuries in an off-duty accident. (Click here to see segment of Discovery Channel documentary of Trevor’s accident.)

During his time with the sheriff’s department, Trevor worked at several different stations; including Robert Presley Detention Center, Southwest Station in Temecula, Hemet/Valle Vista Station, Ben Clark Public Safety Training Center, and Lake Elsinore Station; along with other locations.

Trevor’s assignments included Corrections, Patrol, DUI Enforcement, Boat and Personal Water-Craft based Lake Patrol, Off-Road Vehicle Enforcement, Problem Oriented Policing Team, and Personnel/Background Investigations. He finished his career while working as a Sex Crimes and Child Abuse Investigator and was a court-designated expert in child abuse and child sex-related crimes.

Trevor has been married for more than 29 years and was a foster parent to more than 60 children over 13 years. He is now an adoptive parent and his “fluid family” includes 13 children and 16 grandchildren.