Walnut Creek double murder suspect pretended to catch wife's killer in the act, police say

"Howard Wang, 43, was scheduled to be arraigned Tuesday afternoon. In a statement, Contra Costa County District Attorney spokesperson Ted Asregadoo said Wang has been charged with the murders of his wife, Linlin Guo , 41, and his mother-in-law Beimin Cheng on Sept. 18. The charges include special circumstances enhancements for multiple victims, Asregadoo said. A conviction on both could bring a life sentence for Wang without the possibility of parole."

"Officers responded to Kelondra Court about 11:45 p.m. Thursday night, after Wang called a dispatcher to report finding his two family members dead or dying from stab wounds. As part of the ruse, he actually fired his gun off on the property, then claimed he'd shot at the escaping assailant, authorities said. Police say they discovered the two women suffering from undisclosed injuries and pronounced them dead at the scene. But Wang's story fell apart almost immediately, authorities said."

"Prosecutors also have charged Wang with making criminal threats and dissuading a witness, according to court records. Those charges stem from prior incidents of domestic violence at the home, where Wang allegedly either threatened his wife or prevented her from calling 911. He was arrested Friday morning on suspicion of double murder, then prosecutors formally charged him on Monday. Police did not say exactly how they came to determine Wang was a suspect."

Howard Wang, 43, has been charged with two counts of murder for the Sept. 18 killings of his wife, Linlin Guo, 41, and mother-in-law Beimin Cheng. Special circumstances enhancements for multiple victims are included, and convictions could result in life without parole. Prosecutors also charged Wang with making criminal threats and dissuading a witness tied to prior domestic violence incidents where he allegedly threatened his wife or prevented her from calling 911. Wang called 911 claiming he found the victims and fired his gun, saying he shot at a fleeing assailant. He was arrested and remains jailed without bail.

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