Man charged with murder after suspicious death at Auburn Mall

AUBURN, Mass. (MyFoxBoston.com) -- A 27-year-old man has been charged with murder in connection to the discovery of a woman's body at the Auburn Mall Tuesday night.

Vu Van Ngo was held without bail after his arraignment in Worcester Central District Court Wednesday. Ngo was originally charged with misleading a police investigation, but officials announced he was being charged with murder when court proceedings began.

Authorities responded to 911 calls to find a woman unconscious and bleeding under a car in the parking garage near Macy's at about 4 p.m. Tuesday.

The woman, identified by the Worcester County District Attorney's office as Nhung Nguyen, was taken by ambulance to a nearby hospital, where she later died.

Nguyen was in her twenties and worked with Ngo at Worcester Envelope. A spokesperson for the company said they were temporary employees on a short assignment. Worcester County District Attorney Joseph Early said the two had a "social" relationship.

"What we know is that there's a relationship; a working relationship and social relationship between the defendant and the victim," Early said.

Investigators allege Ngo beat and shot Nguyen. She died from a single gunshot wound. The district attorney's office did not say where they believe she was killed.

Police were led to Ngo by a family member of the victim. He was seen driving erratically from the mall at around 3 p.m.

"There was conflicting statements given throughout the course of the interview but what he did do was, he put himself at the Auburn Mall on or about the time of death," Early said.

While executing a search warrant at Ngo's home, police say they found blood in his car, as well as a .22 caliber semi-automatic gun.

The district attorney's office said Ngo has a significant criminal record, including warrants out of Louisiana.

Officials did not share a potential motive during Ngo's arraignment Wednesday.

Cox Media Group