A man suspected of killing a 23-year-old art student from China in her Newhall condominium complex was being held without bail Thursday and facing a murder charge.
Jack Minh Terry, 22, was arrested Feb. 16 in Garden Grove in connection with the Feb. 4 slaying of Menghan Zhuang in the 21300 block of Nandina Lane, according to the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department.
Sheriff’s officials said Zhuang, 23, was found in her bedroom suffering from upper body injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene. The suspect, who had been seen entering her condo the previous night, was later seen exiting from the victim’s second-floor bedroom window the afternoon she was found.
Terry was charged Feb. 19 with murder. He pleaded not guilty that day and is due back in a San Fernando courtroom March 27.
According to the sheriff’s department, Zhuang was a Chinese national with a student visa, and she was studying art at the California Institute of the Arts in Santa Clarita. Investigators said her death “was not a random act of violence,” noting she was acquainted with the assailant, but no information on a possible motive was released.
Anyone with additional information was urged to contact the Sheriff’s Homicide Bureau at 323-890-5500. Tipsters who prefer to remain anonymous can call Crime Stoppers at 800-222-8477 or visit lacrimestoppers.org.