Redding Police Investigators continued to investigate the suspicious deaths of two adult males discovered in 2500 block of Bunker Street on Thursday April 23, 2020 just after 5:00 PM. Since the discovery of the two victims, Investigators have interviewed multiple witnesses, obtained evidence at the scene and reviewed surveillance footage in the area.
The victims have been identified as Ya Sosavanh, 68 years old, and Cheng Chu, 64 years old, both from Redding.
The California Department of Justice (DOJ) assisted the Redding Police Department with processing the scene where the victims were located. It was determined both victims sustained gunshot wounds. Numerous items of evidence were recovered from inside the residence. 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. The evidence located and collected, suggested this was a double homicide.
During the course of the investigation, a neighbor identified as Nouan Mokthephathai, 74 years old of Redding, was identified as a potential suspect. Investigators learned of ongoing disputes between Mokthephathai and the two victims respectively.
On the evening of April 24, 2020, Investigators served a search warrant at Mokthephathai’s residence where they contacted him outside. During the course of the investigation, Investigators located numerous items of evidence tying Mokthephathai to the crime scene and the victims.
Mokthephathai was arrested for two counts of homicide and was booked into the Shasta County Jail where he is currently being held on $1,000,000 bail.
Anyone who has additional information regarding these individuals and/or this investigation, is urged to contact the Redding Police Investigations Division at 530-225-4200.
