Suspect Indicted In Slayings Of Irondale Motel Owners

IRONDALE, AL - A man arrested in the disappearance of the owners of the Siesta Motel in Irondale has been indicted on capital murder charges. Steven Richard Mulkey, 27, who has a long criminal history, was the handyman at the motel, and has been accused of bludgeoning 77-year-old Ching Kao and his wife, 75-year-old Siumei Kao with a hammer and dumping their bodies in a wooded area off Rex Lake Road in Leeds.

The couple's daughter reported them missing Sept. 21, 2018, and Irondale police responded to the Siesta Motel at 2510 Crestwood Boulevard on a welfare check of the couple, and discovered they were missing. 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.

U.S. Marshal Marty Keely said Mulkey was arrested by deputy marshals at a hotel in Staunton, Virginia Sept. 25, 2018.

A Jefferson County grand jury on March 8 issued the three-count indictment against Mulkey, according to court records made public Monday.

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 In August 2014, Mulkey's probation was revoked and he was ordered to serve the remainder of his sentence.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.