Suspects in slaying in S.F. fled to China

The couple accused of killing a 73-year-old man and dismembering his body at an Ingleside home fled to Beijing, where they were arrested with the help of Homeland Security Investigations officials, police said Friday.

Stephanie Ching, 35, and Douglas Lomas, 44, both of San Francisco, were arrested soon after landing in Beijing on suspicion of killing Benedict Ching, according to the San Francisco Police Department. A source said police believe Stephanie Ching is Benedict Ching’s daughter.

Over the course of their investigation, homicide detectives learned the suspects planned to escape to China after the slaying.

After their arrests in China, the suspects were flown to the Loudoun Adult Detention Center in Leesburg, Va., and booked on suspicion of homicide, police said. Officials are working to extradite them to San Francisco, where the district attorney’s office has filed murder charges against them.

Homeland Security Investigations “was instrumental in locating and coordinating this arrest without incident,” police said in a statement.

Police were initially asked to conduct a wellness check at Ching’s home on the 100 block of Del Monte Street after a co-worker reported he did not show up for work as scheduled on May 18. Officers with SFPD’s Ingleside Station joined one of Ching’s relatives in a visit of his home on Monday, where officers discovered the body.

Sources told The Chronicle that a head and other body parts were found in a freezer in the home.

“Investigators determined that his disappearance and death was a result of foul play,” police said in a statement on Friday.

The FBI is assisting the Police Department’s investigation.

Officials have not publicly said what led them to pursue Lomas and Stephanie Ching as suspects in Ching’s death, or released a possible motive.

Anyone with information about this case may contact the San Francisco Police Department 24hour tip line at 415-5754444 or text a tip to TIP411 and begin the message with, “SFPD.” Callers may remain anonymous. Lauren Hernández is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: lauren.hernandez@ sfchronicle.com Twitter: @LaurenPorFavor