Thi Kim Tran, a Sydney woman, was kidnapped and found dead in a burnt-out car. Police believe her murder was targeted, linked to a drug gang possibly ripped off by someone close to Tran. Tran's husband, who was out of state at the time, is not suspected of any involvement. Tran is not believed to have been involved in any criminal activity.
Numerous tributes have been paid to Tran online, including a moving post from a childhood friend from Vietnam expressing grief and emphasizing their enduring friendship.
Police suspect Tran's murder was a targeted killing, not a random act of violence. The investigation focuses on the possibility that someone close to Tran betrayed a drug production gang, leading to her murder.
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Another woman who said she was Tran’s childhood friend from Vietnam posted a moving tribute online.
“If one day, your best friend leaves you forever, will you cry, heartache, yes,” the translation of Jenny Mai’s post read.
“Childhood friends, play with each other… have you ever had a friend like that… carefree days with your college friends… you will [know] my feelings now and more… love you friend and heart broken.”
In a separate post dated three years ago and in which she tagged Tran and another friend, Mai wrote about their friendship remaining strong despite living in different countries.
“Words and images of you will never fade away… wherever you are, we are still good friends forever,” she wrote.
“We never leave each other, when I am in pain you are beside me… this is the true friend… my dear friend, be strong, be the most beautiful woman in the hearts of those who love you. My heart is broken because of missing you and more than ever.”
The tributes reached Vietnam, where a family member posted an Instagram comment asking “the local government [to] return justice to [Tran]”.
Police suspect Tran was murdered because someone close to her had ripped off a gang involved in drug production.
Tran is not believed to have been involved in any criminality and may not have known she was in any danger. Police earlier told media they believe the killing was targeted and not random.
Tran’s husband, who was out of the state during her murder, is not accused of any wrongdoing.
-With Perry Duffin
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