The mystery of a 20-year-old unsolved child arson and murder case is being revisited.
On October 27 at 7 PM, the YouTube channel 'Detectives' Talk' will air episode 34 of the E-channel original web variety show 'Detectives' Talk' Season 2 (hereafter 'Detectives' Talk 2'), featuring former Superintendent Yoon Oe-chul. Ahn Jung-hwan comments, "Seeing the Superintendent here, it must be a significant case." Yoon responds, "I'm always called for difficult or unsolved cases, which is challenging," but adds, "I hope many people watch today's case."
This episode will cover the Sinjeong-dong serial murder case, the unoccupied apartment death case, and the 18-year fugitive Hwang Ju-yeon case, as part of the 'Unsolved Detectives' Talk' series. Former Superintendent Yoon describes it as "a tragic case where the perpetrator killed the victim and set the scene on fire, erasing most evidence, with no clear motive revealed." Profiler Kwon Il-yong adds, "The victim was a first-grade elementary school student," shocking the audience. Ahn Jung-hwan and Kim Nam-il express their disbelief and determination, saying, "This is unbelievable," and "We must catch the perpetrator."
The case began with a fire report. A fire broke out on the 13th floor of an apartment, and upon forced entry, the body of an elementary school student was found. The victim's hands and mouth were bound with duct tape, and there were signs of blunt force trauma. A knife, baseball bat, and duct tape, believed to be used in the crime, were found at the scene, but the lack of CCTV in the building hindered the investigation from the start.
The suspect's actions were even more suspicious. Cash and some jewelry were left untouched, but a bracelet and square medal engraved with the victim's name, home phone number, and social security number, along with a cell phone strap, were missing. Former Superintendent Yoon explains, "If the perpetrator had pawned these items, someone should have recognized or remembered them, but no informants have come forward."
The investigation team distributed flyers to pawn shops in the area and investigated individuals with similar criminal records, but no clear suspects were identified. The excessive use of force on a young victim also raised questions. The team considered the possibility of an acquaintance being involved, given the circumstances, adding to the intrigue.
Despite offering a substantial reward and exploring all possibilities, the case remains unsolved. Former Superintendent Yoon emphasizes, "A small tip could be the starting point for solving the case." Ahn Jung-hwan, husband of Lee Hye-won, urges viewers, "Your attention and memory can help uncover the truth behind this child's unjust death." The production team also highlights the missing jewelry, urging viewers to provide any related information.
Tae Yuna, TenAsia Reporter youyou@tenasia.co.kr