East Bay Man Charged In Disappearance Of Wife, Mother-In-Law: Police

SAN PABLO, CA— A San Pablo man has been arrested and charged in connection with the disappearance and killing of his wife and mother-in-law, authorities said late Monday.

The Contra Costa County District Attorney's Office charged Phuc Vo, 40, with two counts of homicide Monday following his arrest Thursday, the San Pablo Police Department said.

Vo remained in custody this week with his bail set at $2 million and a court appearance set for Tuesday.

According to San Pablo police, Vo reported his wife, 40-year-old Tho Ngoc Ly, and her mother, 74-year-old Que Thi Tran, missing on Sept. 13, 2023. Vo said the two women left their residence in the 1900 block of Sutter Ave. in San Pablo on Sept. 6, 2023, after a family argument. Vo told police the women were in a 2017 Honda Fit and were headed to Southern California.

San Pablo police detectives could not confirm Ly and Tran made it to Southern California and determined their whereabouts were unknown.

Detectives continued investigating and discovered inconsistencies in Vo’s statement about his missing wife's car, which they saw him driving, police said.

The car was found Dec. 5 in Oakland.

After Vo was identified as a person of interest in the missing persons' case, detectives spent several weeks following up on various leads and searching for witnesses and evidence.

Based on the evidence gathered, police said, detectives believe Vo had direct involvement in the disappearance and deaths of his wife and mother-in-law.

With the assistance of numerous allied law enforcement agencies, San Pablo police officer served a search warrant Thursday at Vo's home in the 1900 block of Sutter Avenue.

Vo was taken into custody at that time on a Ramey arrest warrant.

Formal charges were filed Monday by the DA's Office.

Police said Monday the investigation was ongoing and the location of the victims' remains has not been confirmed.

Police encouraged anyone with information about the case to call the SPPD Investigations Division at 510-215-3150.

The San Pablo Police Department thanked the following agencies for assistance in the ongoing investigation: the Contra Costa County District Attorney’s Office, Contra Costa County District Attorney Investigators, Contra Costa County Crime Lab, Alameda County Sheriff’s Office, Contra Costa County Search and Rescue (OES), Natural Investigations Company, Contra Costa County Safe Streets Task Force, San Pablo Public Works Department, Contra Costa County Animal Control, United States Secret Service and Western States Information Network.