AUBURN, Wash. — A 30-year-old man was arrested Tuesday in connection with the killing of his mother after deputies found her dead inside an Auburn condominium, according to court documents.
Antony Ton Le was booked into jail for investigation of murder following the death of his mother, Thuy Nu Thu Ton, authorities said.
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Deputies with the King County Sheriff’s Office responded around 2 p.m. Feb. 24 to a condominium in the 28700 block of 34th Avenue South in Auburn after a 911 caller reported finding a woman unresponsive and possibly assaulted.
The caller told dispatchers he had returned home to find Ton lying on the floor, wrapped in blankets with visible facial injuries. Deputies entered through an unlocked door and located her unresponsive, with swollen eyes and blood coming from her nose.
First responders attempted life-saving measures outside the residence, but she was pronounced dead at 2:09 p.m.
Investigators said the caller owned the condominium and rented a room to Le, whom he had known for years. Ton frequently stayed at the home to care for her son, including cooking and cleaning, according to the probable cause statement.
The condo owner told deputies Le had been diagnosed with schizophrenia and bipolar disorder and had a history of violence when not taking medication. He reported Le had stopped taking prescribed medication about five months earlier and had become increasingly hostile toward him and his mother.
According to investigators, the condo owner left for work around 1:30 a.m. that day, with Ton resting on the couch and Le believed to be in his bedroom. When he returned shortly after 1 p.m., he noticed blankets piled on the living room floor and discovered Ton underneath them.
He then went to a neighbor’s home to call 911 because he did not have a cellphone.
Deputies established a perimeter and attempted to contact Le, who did not respond. A tactical team entered the residence later that afternoon and found him in a bedroom, taking him into custody without incident. He was transported to SeaTac City Hall for questioning.
During a recorded interview with detectives, Le allegedly said he believed he had killed his mother after an argument about school and finances.
He described grabbing her in a chokehold, throwing her to the ground, and “curb stomping” on her neck multiple times, according to the court document. He then described wrapping her in blankets and pillows to “heal” her, then listened to her make noises for about 30 minutes before dying.
After the assault, he told detectives he washed his clothes and went to bed.
During the interview, Le also made statements about demons, possession, and AI video, and said he did not call 911 because he expected his roommate to return home.
Investigators said Le admitted part of his statement was untrue, but maintained that he had killed his mother.
Le was arrested for investigation of murder. Charging decisions were pending as of Tuesday.