Oakland Woman Tried Helping Lover Cover Up Double Murder In Walnut Creek: Prosecutors

OAKLAND, CA — The mistress of a man accused of killing his wife and mother-in-law earlier this month in Walnut Creek has been charged with being an accessory, prosecutors said.

Detectives arrested Yan Wang near her home in Oakland. She is being held with no bail at the Martinez Detention Facility for accessory after the fact, first-degree residential burglary, and destroying evidence, according to police.

The 45-year-old was scheduled to be arraigned at 1:30 p.m. today in Contra Costa Superior
Court in Martinez. She faces two felony and one misdemeanor charge related to the murders of
Linlin Guo and Beimin Cheng.

“This case serves as a sobering reminder of domestic violence's far-reaching consequences," Contra Costa District Attorney Diana Becton said in a statement Tuesday. "Our office will pursue justice with the seriousness and urgency this tragedy demands.”

The Walnut Creek Police Department arrested Howard Wang on Sept. 19 after they found his wife and mother-in-law dead. He has since been charged with murder.

Prosecutors say Yan Wang and Howard Wang, who are not related, were dating. Authorities did not say why they think Howard Wang killed his wife and mother-in-law.

But prosecutors did say Yan Wang knew about the double slaying and tried to help Howard Wang avoid prosecution by destroying cellphones in hopes of getting rid of evidence.

She was charged Tuesday with accessory after the fact, first-degree residential burglary, and destroying evidence, prosecutors said.

Howard Wang, meanwhile, is scheduled to be arraigned Oct. 3 in Martinez and faces life in prison without the possibility of parole if convicted, the D.A.'s office said in a statement

Anyone with information should contact the Walnut Creek Police Department at (925) 943-5844 or provide information anonymously through the tip line at (925) 943-5865.

Local Editor Fernando Haro contributed to this report.