Kevin Hyun Ahn, a Korean American man who was previously charged with abusing and abandoning his mother’s corpse, now faces additional charges of first-degree murder and first-degree assault. The charges were announced by the Lancaster County District Attorney’s Office.
Local broadcaster WGAL reported on May 9 that Ahn, 31, was indicted on the new charges following further investigation and autopsy results.
Mother’s Body Discovered in Parked Car
The body of Hyun Ahn, 61, was discovered on March 24 in the back seat of a car parked at an apartment complex in Lancaster County. The vehicle belonged to Hyun Ahn, but her son Kevin Ahn had been driving it.
Police responded after receiving a report and worked alongside Baltimore County authorities in Maryland to apprehend Ahn.
An autopsy conducted by the Lancaster County Coroner’s Office revealed that Hyun Ahn had been strangled. She also suffered traumatic brain injuries. Prosecutors stated she likely died from asphyxiation 30 to 40 hours before her body was found.
Evidence of Abuse and Neglect
At the time of the discovery, the body was covered with garbage, including boxes, fast-food wrappers, and shoes.
In an initial court hearing held in April, Kevin Ahn and his attorney admitted only to the charge of corpse abuse and neglect. They did not acknowledge the murder or assault charges at that time.
However, after receiving the autopsy results and conducting additional investigations, prosecutors upgraded the charges. Kevin Ahn is currently being held at the Lancaster County Jail without bail.
BY HYOUNGJAE KIM [kim.ian@koreadaily.com]
