Si Choy Saeturn

Man arrested in killing of pregnant wife

By Cameron Jahn -- Bee Staff Writer
Published 2:15 am PST Thursday, February 9, 2006

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Police have arrested Nai Saechao on suspicion of killing his pregnant wife as she left work in late December.

Authorities believed Saechao, 25, was involved in the Dec. 29 shooting of Si Saeturn, 28, in the head and abdomen.

Saechao, however, was not listed as a suspect at the time.

Three other men also were in custody Wednesday on suspicion of murder.

Police and jail records identified them as Lo Saephanh, 24, and two brothers, Chang Saephan, 21, and Khae Saephan, 19.

Nai Saechao told The Bee in January that the killing outside the security firm where his wife worked left him and his daughter devastated, but that he had nothing to do with it.

He said they were high school sweethearts and had been married 11 years.

Saechao said he grew worried and called police when his wife was an hour late returning from her job as a night dispatcher for the security business in the 4700 block of 24th Street.

Saechao then drove to where Saeturn worked and saw the police lights and an ambulance.

Officers found Saeturn's body slumped next to her Acura Integra about 11:20 p.m.

"Why? You know? What do you get from taking a mom away from a 10-year-old girl?" Saechao asked at the time.

"I grabbed my daughter and said, 'Mommy is sick.' My daughter just started crying her eyes out." Efforts to contact other members of Saeturn's family Wednesday were unsuccessful.

All four men are due in court at 1:30 p.m. Friday.

About the writer:

• The Bee's Cameron Jahn can be reached at (916) 321-1038 or cjahn@sacbee.com.