Wednesday Arrests Bring Ko Family Some Closure

The Ko family has been able to rest a bit easier since police captured the suspected murderers of Susie Ko Wednesday.

“It could only be described as a little bit of celebration…a little bit of closure,” Simon Ko, Susie Ko’s son, said about about the arrests.

Simon Ko and the rest of his family quickly mobilized after learning of the death of his mother late last Friday. The only lead in the murder case was Ko’s sky blue 2011 Subaru Outback, which went missing the night of the crime.

The Ko family put up posters, reached out to media outlets and set up a website in order to track down the missing outback. A vigil held Monday in Hercules attracted several hundred mourners.

On Wednesday, police in a Seattle suburb spotted Ko’s car. Driving the car was Darnell Washington, 24, and his wife Tania Washington, 24, was the passenger. The two were suspected of going on a crime spree after Washington broke out of a San Bernardino jail. After a chase, the two were arrested.  It is not clear why the Washington’s chose Ko’s house to break into.

“It feels completely random at this point. There were so many variables,” said Simon Ko. “If one of those things had been different, my mother would still be alive.”

Simon Ko also said that many variables played into the capture of his mother’s suspected killers. He said he and his family are grateful to everyone who put the word out about the missing Outback, and for the thoughts and prayers for the Ko family in the wake of their tragedy.

Ko said Wednesday’s arrest has allowed his family to redirect their focus from searching for the missing car to planning Susie Ko’s memorial services.

A date has not been set for the service.