In a city known for its vibrant neighborhoods, Thang Lilly Nguyen was a beloved local figure, known to many simply as “Lilly.” At 46 years old, the Asian woman was the friendly owner of a video rental store at 1403 SE Belmont Street in Portland, Oregon. Neighbors and family remembered her as a kind and gentle soul, with some describing her as “the nicest person in the neighborhood.” Her family told investigators that she was non-confrontational by nature and would have readily given up money or possessions if confronted in a robbery.
The peaceful rhythm of a summer Sunday was shattered on July 25, 1993. Shortly after noon, at approximately 12:34 p.m., the sound of gunshots echoed through the 1400 block of SE Belmont, a busy street lined with apartments and small businesses. A neighbor, hearing the shots from his apartment across the street, went to investigate. He discovered a horrifying scene on the sidewalk in front of the video store: Lilly Nguyen was lying on the ground, bleeding and gravely wounded. In her final, desperate moments, she managed to utter the haunting words, “They killed me, they killed me.”
Emergency services were immediately called, and Lilly was rushed to a nearby hospital for treatment. Despite the efforts of medical personnel, she succumbed to her injuries. An autopsy later confirmed that Thang Lilly Nguyen had died from multiple gunshot wounds. Her last words strongly suggested that more than one person was responsible for her death, a key piece of information for the Portland Police Bureau detectives who began the homicide investigation.
The inquiry quickly uncovered several leads. A passing motorist came forward to report seeing two young Asian males running from the area around the time of the shooting. This account was bolstered by another witness who had driven past the video store earlier that day and noticed two young men of a similar description standing by the front door. Investigators also received information about a white midsize vehicle that may have been connected to the suspects.
While robbery was considered a likely motive, as investigators believed Lilly’s purse had been taken during the attack, no arrests were ever made. The two young men seen at the store and fleeing the scene were never identified, and the white vehicle was never traced. The case grew cold, leaving a permanent scar on the community and an open wound for a family left without answers or justice.
Decades have passed since Lilly Nguyen’s life was cut short on the sidewalk in front of her store. The neighborhood around SE Belmont has changed, but the questions surrounding her murder remain. The Portland Police Bureau continues to list her case as an unsolved homicide. As of July 2013, her case remains open, and investigators hope that someone, somewhere, holds the missing piece of the puzzle. Crime Stoppers of Oregon offers a cash reward of up to $2,500 for information that leads to an arrest in any unsolved felony crime. Anyone with information about the murder of Thang "Lilly" Nguyen is urged to contact the Portland Police Bureau's Cold Case Homicide Unit directly at (503) 823-0400.
