On October 12, 2024, Jing Li, 37, of San Bernardino, was murdered along with her husband, 37-year-old Kuanlun Wang. Prosecutors say both deaths are tied to a financial dispute with Wang’s business associate, 30-year-old Huangting Gong of Glendale, who reportedly owed Wang $80,000. According to the Orange County District Attorney’s Office, Gong allegedly shot Wang in the head in a Southern California desert, transported his body in Wang’s Tesla to the couple’s Brea home, then attacked Jing Li with a hammer and forced her to reveal her phone password. He is accused of driving her to a San Bernardino desert, executing her and setting her body on fire, later disposing of and burning Wang’s body and torching both Teslas in separate desert locations.

The investigation began after a family member reported Wang missing on October 15 and noted the $80,000 debt. Surveillance footage and a subsequent loss of access to the home system raised further suspicion. Brea police arrested Gong at Los Angeles International Airport on November 5 when he returned from Seattle. He has been charged with two counts of murder, kidnapping, arson and burglary, among other felonies, and faces special-circumstance allegations that make him eligible for life without parole or the death penalty; an arraignment was scheduled for December 2 at the Central Justice Center in Santa Ana. Does anyone have information about Jing Li’s life or movements in the days before October 12 that could help investigators?