Fairfax County Man Set Father's Body On Fire Before Burying Him In Backyard: Police

FAIRFAX COUNTY, VA — A 19-year-old man stabbed his father several times in the upper body and then burned his father’s body before burying him in the family’s backyard in the Bailey’s Crossroads area of Fairfax County, the county police department said Monday.

Philip Nguyen was arrested and charged with second-degree murder last Wednesday in his father's killing. His father, Truman Nguyen, 78, was reported missing on Sunday, Sept. 5. The police were awaiting the results of an autopsy before releasing the details of how Truman Nguyen was killed.

When Truman Nguyen’s wife reported her husband missing, officers searched the residence and backyard in the 3300 block of Nevius Street in Fairfax County. Officers found no signs of foul play or anything to indicate Truman Nguyen was in danger, according to the Fairfax County Police Department.

Detectives from the department’s Major Crimes Bureau Missing Persons Squad took over the investigation last Tuesday and received information that the circumstances of Truman Nguyen’s disappearance may have involved foul play.

Based on information from multiple sources, the police department said its detectives believed Truman Nguyen could be dead and buried in the family’s backyard.

Last Wednesday afternoon, detectives searched the property and found Truman Nguyen’s body. An autopsy was conducted by the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner, which confirmed Truman Nguyen’s identity.

SEE ALSO: Teenage Son Charged In Killing Of Father At Fairfax County Home

“Through the results from the autopsy, detectives believe that the cause of Truman Nguyen’s death was from multiple stab wounds to the upper body,” the police department said. “Detectives found evidence to indicate Philip Nguyen burnt the body prior to burying his father in the backyard.”

Prior to recovering Truman Nguyen's body last Wednesday, officials said officers had been sent to the residence multiple times in response to domestic disturbance calls.

Philip Nguyen has been charged with second-degree murder and is being held at the Fairfax County jail without bond.

Detectives are asking anyone with additional information about Truman Nguyen’s death to contact the Fairfax County police at 703-691-2131. Tips can also be submitted anonymously through Crime Solvers by phone at 1-866-411-TIPS (866-411-8477), by text by typing “FCCS” plus tip to 847411, and by web.