Lucifer Nguyen, Alleged Mendota Heights Murderer, Stands Trial

DAKOTA COUNTY, MN — Lucifer Vincent Nguyen — the man accused of murdering 48-year-old Beverly Cory in Mendota Heights July 29 before leading authorities on a three-day manhunt in the Twin Cities — is set to stand trial Monday.

In October, a Dakota County grand jury indicted Nguyen, 44, of New Hope on charges including premeditated murder, aggravated robbery, and kidnapping.

According to the criminal complaint, on July 29 Mendota Heights police was dispatched to a reported home invasion by a man armed with a pistol. The homeowner told police that the man, later identified as Nguyen, entered the house through the master bedroom, pulled out a handgun and demanded cash, police said.

Authorities say Nguyen took the money and fled.

While responding to the reported home invasion, officers saw Nguyen's car on the road and tried to pull it over. Instead of complying, the driver fled police before crashing into a pond, according to the complaint. A witness told police they saw a man run from the scene of the crash.

Minutes later, officers were dispatched to a senior care facility near the crash site on a report of a man armed with a pistol who broke into the building. One of the employees at the facility told police Nguyen forced her into a laundry room and took her work keys.

While residents were being evacuated from the facility, officers received another report of blood seeping underneath a door in an adjacent office building.

Tactical officers entered the building and found Beverly Cory dead on the floor. An autopsy determined she died from a single gunshot wound to the head.

Police also discovered Cory's car was missing. Her car was located a day later at the Washington County fairgrounds, police said.

After a three-day manhunt Nguyen was arrested July 31 in Blaine, the Pioneer Press reported.

"You couldn't find a nicer person than Beverly," Pat Ballard, one of Cory's clients, told KARE 11. "She's sweet and gentle and helpful."

Image via Dakota County Sheriff's Office