Three men accused of belonging to a ‘kill crew’ have been charged with the alleged kidnapping and murder of Bankstown mother Thi Kim Tran
Homicide detectives say 45-year-old Thi Kim Tran was allegedly targeted after a group failed to locate her husband, who is believed to be linked to an organised criminal network.
Three men have been charged over the alleged kidnapping and murder of a 45-year-old woman in Sydney’s southwest earlier this year, after detectives uncovered what they describe as a “kill crew” operating on behalf of an organised criminal network.
Police allege the group forced their way into a Bankstown home shortly before 10.30pm on April 17, before kidnapping Thi Kim Tran and assaulting her eight-year-old son with a baseball bat.
The boy suffered head injuries and was treated in hospital, while a 15-year-old also present was taken for assessment.
About an hour later, emergency services were called to Welfare Ave in Beverley Hills, where a car was found engulfed in flames.
Firefighters extinguished the blaze and discovered Ms Tran’s body inside.
Detectives from Strike Force Bushfield believe Ms Tran and her children were targeted because of her husband’s alleged ties to a Victorian-based organised crime group.
Police have revealed more details about the circumstances leading to the death of Ms Tran.
They believe her husband may have stolen a quantity of drugs leading to the execution style murder of his wife.
“From what we know, there was a dispute, or allegations, suggesting that the woman’s husband had stolen on a quantity, a large quantity of drugs, from the syndicate,” NSW Police homicide squad boss Detective Superintendent Joe Doueihi said.
Police believe a decision was then made by the upper echelons of the criminal organisation, either on-shore in Australia or overseas, to contract a “kill crew”.
It is then believed that a local middle man began to pull together criminals who would undertake the murder.
Detective Superintendent Doueihi said it is believed Ms Tran’s husband was the intended target of the hit but when he couldn’t be found, they moved their target to his wife.
“They were armed with pistol, baseball bat, wearing in dark clothing, and their faces covered,” he said
“They stripped (Ms Tran) naked at the front of a house and then bundled her into the back of an SUV.”
The “kill crew” then allegedly began sending a gruesome countdown to the husband, including sending pictures of his wife, before executing her and setting the car alight.
The three men who have been arrested are not believed to be part of the notorious G7 group and at this stage police don’t believe they have been involved in other contract killings.
Detective Superintendent Doueihi said the alleged murder of Ms Tran and the alleged assault of an 8-year-old boy at the same address demonstrates that a previously honoured “code”, where families of criminal associates were not targeted, no longer applies.
“These young alleged criminals are ruthless, they don’t care about the code, if I can use that word, it’s no longer families are off limits, it’s what’s in their best interests, he said. “They are selfish, they are greedy, they don’t care about the consequences.”
The ruthless nature of the crew was on display when they allegedly issued Ms Tran’s husband a horrific countdown to her murder by sending him ransom messages before she was killed.
Following months of investigations, three men - aged 32, 21 and 20 - were arrested at Parramatta Police Station on Thursday and charged with murder, conspiracy to murder, kidnapping, wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm and participating in a criminal group.
The trio was granted a non-publication order over their identities on application by defence lawyer Sarah Black.
Media outlets on Friday indicated they would oppose the order and a hearing has been set down for November 17.
The three men remain in custody, bail refused.
Yesterday’s arrests bring the total number of people charged with Ms Tran’s kidnapping and murder to four, and police believe there were others involved and expect to make more arrests. The three arrested yesterday are believed to be the key group who were in the vehicle when Ms Tran was murdered and undertook all the planning.
“There may have been other people there, we are not quite sure, but we know that these three were definitely the three who were in the vehicle and took the victim to that location.”
Detective Superintendent Doueihi these so-called “kill crews” were organised through encrypted messaging services like Whatsapp and Signal and aren’t aligned with any particular criminal organisation but rather undertake tasks for the highest bidder.
“They prostitute themselves to whoever pays the biggest amount and whoever pays them the money they will go and do the job for them,” he said.
Ms Tran’s husband is in contact with police and is assisting them with their enquiries.
The escalation in violence from “kill crews” prepared to commit violent murders in public places and kidnap and kill the family members of associates of criminal organisations has prompted police to issue a warning to those who are seduced by felonious elements.
“Being involved in any level of an organised crime or the manufacture or distribution of drugs, is high risk,” Detective Superintendent Doueihi said. “It has consequences, it’s not as lucrative as it seems to be. You may cross other people you work for or have some dispute, and this is what ends up happening. You or your family are under the threat. For those younger offenders who think it is all rosy out there who think it is easy to do these jobs - the consequences are dire. You will end up in jail for a very, very long time.”
A fourth man charged in August remains before the courts, as Strike Force Bushfield detectives continue their investigation.
Do you have a story for The Daily Telegraph? Message 0481 056 618 or email tips@dailytelegraph.com.au
More Coverage
Originally published as Three men accused of belonging to a ‘kill crew’ have been charged with the alleged kidnapping and murder of Bankstown mother Thi Kim Tran
