Taekwondo instructor arrested after family found dead in Parramatta, Baulkham Hills

Police allege a taekwondo instructor strangled a woman and a child to death inside a martial arts studio before he travelled in her car to Sydney’s northwest where he fatally stabbed the woman’s husband.

Police allege a man strangled a woman and child to death inside a martial arts studio in North Parramatta before he drove the woman’s white BMW to Baulkham Hills and fatally stabbed her husband on Monday night.

Taekwondo instructor Kwang Kyung Yoo underwent surgery to his hands and arms on Tuesday night.

He was arrested when he awoke from surgery and is being questioned by police.

He is expected to be charged.

On Wednesday morning, homicide detectives set out how they allege Min Cho, her husband Steven Cho, and a seven-year-old boy died.

Min Cho and her husband Steven Cho.

Police found Mr Cho, 39, stabbed to death at a Baulkham Hills home after a concern for welfare report about 10.30am on Tuesday.

A couple of hours later, officers found Mrs Cho, 41, and a seven-year-old boy strangled to death at Lions Taekwondo Martial Arts Academy.

Taekwondo instructor Kwang Kyung Yoo has been arrested after three people were found dead.

Kwang Kyung Yoo, who also goes by the name Lion Yoo. Picture: Facebook

The crime scene at Lion’s Taekwondo Martial Arts Academy in North Parramatta on Tuesday. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Dylan Coker

Prior to police finding the three bodies, it’s alleged Mr Yoo, 49, presented to Westmead Hospital with stab wounds to his chest, arms and stomach.

He told police he had been attacked in the carpark of a supermarket on Church Street in North Parramatta.

“Following extensive inquiries, about 11.20pm [Tuesday] night, Strike Force detectives attended Westmead Hospital where a 49-year-old man was placed under arrest,” Detective Superintendent Danny Doherty said.

“The man remains under police guard in hospital receiving treatment for his injuries and is expected to be charged at some stage.”

Min Cho with husband Steven Cho and Mr Cho’s mother. Picture: Facebook

A woman and child were found strangled to death inside the martial arts academy on Tuesday. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Dylan Coker

“What we allege and from the information provided ... is that the woman and the child were murdered at North Parramatta at some stage after 6.30pm [on Monday],” Detective Superintendent Doherty said.

“We’ll allege that the 49-year-old man who is in hospital, has travelled to Baulkham Hills and has had a confrontation with the 39-year-old man there ... and as a result of that confrontation he’s been stabbed to death.

Police allege Mr Yoo used Mrs Cho’s white BMW to drive himself to Baulkham Hills where he confronted Mr Cho. He then used the same car to drive himself to hospital.

Forensic investigators remained at the North Parramatta crime scene on Wednesday morning. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Gaye Gerard

The workplace where Mr Cho worked as a senior estimator for the last six years — Richard Crookes Constructions — said they were “shocked and saddened by the tragic passing”.

“Our thoughts are with all their loved ones who are dealing with this unimaginable grief,” a spokesperson from Richard Crookes Constructions said.

“This tragedy has deeply impacted the RCC family. Our primary focus now is the wellbeing of our staff who are being offered appropriate support during this difficult time.”

The principal of the child’s school wrote to parents in the aftermath to inform them of the “tragic” death of an unnamed student and two adults, confirming extra counselling would be available for staff and students “at a very difficult time for our school community”.

“Police are now investigating the circumstances surrounding all three deaths, so the school, also for privacy reasons, is unable to provide more information about this very sad situation,” the principal wrote.

“On behalf of the school, I offer the family and friends of the three deceased our sympathies and condolences for their immense loss.”

The principal also advised families that the traumatic event would be reported in the press and social media, prompting the school to offer the additional counselling to all students impacted.

More to come

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