Suspect Captured In Possible Homicide Of Irondale Hotel Owners

IRONDALE, AL - A suspect in the possible murder of the owners of the Siesta Motel In Irondale has been captured. The couple, 77-year-old Ching Kao and his wife, 75-year-old Siumei Kao, were reported missing over the weekend and police suspect they were nurdered, after they discovered video footage of the couple being beaten, and blood stains at the scene of the crime.

Steven Richard Mulkey, 27, who has a long criminal history, was the handyman at the motel, which has been closed for renovations since January. U.S. Marshal Marty Keely said Mulkey was arrested by deputy marshals at a hotel in Staunton, Virginia. A resident at the Econo Lodge on Crestwood Boulevard on Monday told investigators she believed Mulkey may have fled in her vehicle.

She awoke Saturday to find it gone and it had been parked next to Mulkey's vehicle. Motel workers, she said, saw someone leaving the motel in a hurry Friday night in her Nissan Altima. It wasn't immediately clear whether that vehicle was found with Mulkey in Virginia.

A report by Alabama Media Group said one of the couple's daughters became concerned when she had not spoken with them. Irondale police responded Friday to the Siesta Motel at 2510 Crestwood Boulevard on a welfare check of the couple, and discovered they were missing. (For more updates on this story and free news alerts for your neighborhood, sign up for your local Patch morning newsletter.)

Irondale Police Chief Ken Atkinson said the safe was missing from the office and there was blood in the surrounding areas. At least one dog had been left behind in the office, in which there appeared to have been some kind of disturbance. A review of surveillance footage showed the couple being beaten.

Irondale police on Saturday night identified Mulkey as a person of interest in the couple's disappearance. He had been living in the nearby Econo Lodge.

Court records show Mulkey pleaded guilty in December 2013 to a charge of third-degree robbery. He was originally charged with first-degree robbery but pleaded to a reduced charge. He was sentenced to 10 years in prison with 30 months to serve followed by five years of probation. In August 2014, Mulkey's probation was revoked and he was ordered to serve the remainder of his sentence. He received credit for 509 days spent in the county jail and the judge ordered that once back in prison, he be given the opportunity to earn his GED.

In 2016, Mulkey pleaded guilty to a theft of property charge and received a 45-month sentence. The terms of his release have not been made available.

Photo via Crimestoppers