Murder probe detectives issue key witness appeal
POLICE KEEN TO TRACE MAN AS PART OF INVESTIGATION
Detectives investigating the murder of a woman found in a burning car are appealing for a key witness to come forward.
Quyen Ngoc Nguyen’s body was discovered in a vehicle in Success Road in Shiney Row in the early hours of Tuesday August 15.
Two men have been charged with the murder of the 29-year-old, who was from Killingworth.
A man has been identified on CCTV walking past the Golden Fry fish shop in Shiney Row at around 12.14am in the early hours of Tuesday, August 15, and officers believe he could be a key witness.
From the image he appears to have a bottle in one hand and possibly a hat in the other. He is wearing a hooded top with stripes on the arms and a T-shirt with writing on, loose trousers or jogging bottoms and trainers.
Police are keen to identify and speak to the man as a key witness as he may have seen the suspects and officers may consider releasing the image to help identify him.
The man, or anyone who thinks they may know who he is, is asked to contact Northumbria Police on 101 quoting reference 39 150817 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
After her death, friends paid tribute to Quyen, with many travelling to the region to express sympathy.
One friend said: “She’s the most beautiful and kind girl, everyone loves her.
“Since she died people from all over the UK have come here, from Birmingham and London.
“They have come here to see her for the last time, to see a picture of her, even though they cannot see her body.
“She didn’t see her son or her parents, no one seen her. She had a little son.
“She’s finished studying, she’s been working. She did an MBA in Business.”
Stephen Unwin age 39 of St Oswald’s Terrace, Houghton, and William McFall age 50 of Waterloo Road, Blackpool, have been charged with murder.
They appeared at Newcastle Crown Court last month via video link to HMP Durham.
The men were not asked to enter pleas to the charge during the hearing.
Judge Paul Sloan said they must be back in court on November 13.
A trial, which may last up to three weeks, has been listed for January 29 next year although the date may be subject to change.
Both men were remanded in custody.
Judge Sloan told them: “I am adjourning your cases to a further pre trial hearing.
“That next hearing will be heard on November 13.
“Until that hearing, you are remanded in custody.”