Oberlin murder suspect bound over after prosecutor details alleged video admission
LORAIN COUNTY, Ohio (WOIO) - The person accused of killing an Oberlin College professor and his wife appeared in court Thursday, where a judge set bond at $3 million and bound the case over to Lorain County Common Pleas Court.
Asia Nguyen-Duy, 31, of Ashland, Oregon, faces six counts of murder, four counts of felonious assault and one count of tampering with evidence.
Nguyen-Duy previously went by Daniel Jones. Court records show they legally changed their name in 2025. During Thursday’s hearing, Nguyen-Duy said they are gender-neutral and prefer to be called Asia Nguyen-Duy.
The victims were identified as 64-year-old Pipo Nguyen-Duy and 56-year-old Thi Tran Phong.
Oberlin College and Conservatory identified Pipo Nguyen-Duy as a beloved professor of studio art and photography who taught at the college for many years.
Oberlin College shared the following Friday message on social media about Pipo Nguyen-Duy:
Prosecutor details alleged video
During the hearing, the prosecutor said Nguyen-Duy knocked on a stranger’s door on Shipherd Drive and asked the person to record a video.
The prosecutor said Nguyen-Duy had scratches and blood on them at the time.
In the video, Nguyen-Duy allegedly admitted killing their family.
“He says he’s escaping a cult. He also says everything I did was on my own accord, and I take full responsibility,” the prosecutor said in court.
The prosecutor also said Nguyen-Duy’s birth mother, who lives in Oregon, described them as psychotic and in need of medication. That statement was presented in court as part of the prosecutor’s description of the investigation.
Investigation began with suspicious vehicle
According to Oberlin police, the investigation began around 8:57 a.m. Wednesday when officers and firefighters responded to the Oberlin College Conservatory parking lot for a vehicle reportedly on fire.
Police said the silver Toyota hatchback was smoldering. It had a boarded-up window, a wood stove in the back seat and a makeshift chimney extending through the roof.
A cardboard box in the front seat was identified as the source of the smoldering.
Police said officers found a wallet, passport, suitcase, keys and other personal items inside the vehicle. They also found loose ammunition.
The prosecutor said investigators found packaging for a 17-round Glock magazine and two 9 mm rounds inside the car. The firearm has not been recovered.
Police identified the registered owner as Nguyen-Duy and found them around 10:19 a.m. in the 200 block of Shipherd Circle.
After speaking with Nguyen-Duy, officers went to the South Pleasant Street home to check on the welfare of family members.
Police forced entry around 10:27 a.m. and found the two victims inside.
Pipo Nguyen-Duy was found on the first floor. Phong was found in an upstairs bedroom.
Police said both victims suffered multiple gunshot wounds.
Nguyen-Duy was booked into the Lorain County Jail at 8:59 p.m. Wednesday.
The judge set bond at $3 million. Nguyen-Duy remains in custody.
Oberlin College responds
Oberlin College officials said most classes would continue as scheduled Thursday, except for Studio Art classes.
College officials said plans for a memorial have not been finalized, but there will be opportunities for the campus community to gather and remember Nguyen-Duy.
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