Man charged with double murder over $80,000 debt

In October 2023, Huanting Gong was involved in a brutal crime that led to the deaths of Kuanlun Wang and Jing Li, a married couple from Brea, California. The horrific events unfolded when Wang's family grew concerned after not hearing from him for several days, prompting them to contact law enforcement. It was revealed that Wang had been owed $80,000 by Gong, who was a business associate. Following an investigation initiated on October 15, authorities discovered that Gong had met Wang on October 12 in a desert area. There, he allegedly shot Wang in the head, transported his body in his Tesla, and later killed Wang’s wife, Jing Li, in a calculated and violent manner. Gong reportedly forced Li to disclose her cellphone password before taking her to another desert location, where he shot and burned her body as well. The murders were followed by the looting of the couple’s residence on October 14, where Gong allegedly stole luxury items worth around $250,000. After evading capture for several weeks, he was arrested at Los Angeles International Airport on November 5 upon his return from Seattle, leading to the charges that now haunt him. Facing multiple felony counts, including first-degree murder and kidnapping, Gong’s legal prospects remain grim as he is eligible for life imprisonment or even the death penalty. The case has sparked concern over personal safety among the local community, given the level of brutality involved and the motives rooted in financial disputes.