LOS ANGELES, CA – A 22-year-old man has been charged with murder in the death of CalArts student Menghan Zhuang, whose body was discovered last month in her Santa Clarita apartment, authorities said.
The suspect, identified as Jack Minh Terry, was arrested on February 16 in Garden Grove following an investigation by the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department. He was formally charged with one count of murder on February 19 and is currently being held without bail, according to the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office.
Zhuang, 23, also known as Emily King, was found dead on February 4 inside a unit at The Vistas condominium complex, located near Nandina Lane and Dockweiler Drive in the Newhall area of Santa Clarita. Deputies responding to the scene discovered her with what authorities described as “injuries to her upper body.” She was pronounced dead at the scene.
Investigators said surveillance video captured a man, allegedly Terry, leaving the apartment by climbing out of a second-story bedroom window on the afternoon of February 4. Authorities believe he had arrived the night before and was inside the apartment during the hours leading up to Zhuang’s death.
While the specific nature of Zhuang’s injuries has not been disclosed, detectives confirmed that she and Terry were acquainted. The motive remains under investigation, and the exact circumstances surrounding the killing have not yet been made public. No booking photo of the suspect has been released.
“It is clear this was not a random act of violence, and she somehow knew the person of interest,” officials said at a February 13 press conference. “We hope people will have the courage to come forward and help investigators identify the individual responsible for this senseless and violent act and help bring closure to the family.”
Authorities emphasized that the killing appears to be an isolated incident and is not connected to any broader public safety threat in the Santa Clarita area.
Terry is scheduled to appear in court on March 27. The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department continues to investigate the case and is urging anyone with information to contact homicide detectives.
