Ex-Boyfriend Arrested In 1998 Killing Of Burien Mother

KING COUNTY, WA — King County detectives have arrested an ex-boyfriend suspected in the 1998 killing of a Burien mother. According to investigators, 28-year-old Nguyet "Anna" Nguyen disappeared on November 9, 1998, after telling her family she was going to visit her fiancee in West Seattle. Detectives learned she had planned to fly to Reno with him and get married when she was reported missing.

Two days later, detectives found Nguyen's car in the parking lot of Riverside Casino in Tukwila. Law enforcement questioned an ex-boyfriend at the time, who denied any involvement, but detectives noted that he told them several different stories surrounding his whereabouts the night Nguyen was killed. Nguyen's body has never been found and investigators have long suspected foul play.

According to the King County Sheriff's Office, detectives revisited surveillance this year and found footage of the ex-boyfriend on camera near the casino and using Nguyen's debit card. Investigators arrested him Friday. Charging documents identified the ex-boyfriend as 62-year-old Phan Kim Seng, who was 42 years old at the time of the killing. He is charged with second-degree murder and being held on $2 million bail.

Prosecutors outlined an extensive criminal record in court documents, including previous domestic violence convictions. Detectives believe Seng killed Nguyen after she refused to break off her engagement.

An arraignment hearing is scheduled for November 7th.