Cindy Kim and John Chong Moon allegedly killed a 66-year-old man so they could sleep in his SUV—but prosecutors say that murder was only part of a larger scheme to eliminate family members and seize their mother's home, according to court testimony.
Background
Kim, 59, and her brother Moon, 55, were living out of a Toyota Prius in California when they allegedly decided they needed a bigger vehicle. According to The Orange County Register, the siblings had been struggling financially while believing their mother lived in luxury. Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department Detective Yoon Nam testified during a preliminary hearing that police discovered notebooks written by both suspects detailing their grievances against family members and plans to harm them.
Prosecutors allege Moon and Kim targeted their older sister, that sister's family, and one of their mother's neighbors. The sister reportedly obtained restraining orders protecting their mother from Kim and Moon in 2016 and 2022. She testified that her younger siblings took advantage of their elderly mother and accused them of forging her signature on a deed-transfer document to transfer ownership of the family home. According to testimony, Moon then attempted to sell their mother's residence on Craigslist.
The Charges
Cuauhtemoc Garcia, 66, was fatally shot on Feb. 25, 2025, in Cerritos, California. Prosecutors charged both Kim and Moon with second-degree murder, conspiracy to commit murder, and attempted robbery in connection with his death. Authorities allege Moon fired the fatal shots after he and his sister confronted Garcia near Don Knabe Community Regional Park on Bloomfield Avenue, demanding his keys when he refused to hand them over.
Detective Nam testified that investigators found notebook entries by Kim from November 2024 stating, "We are supposed to order our firearm to take down the [family]." The following month she allegedly wrote, "Stole some bullets at Sportsman's." On the day Garcia was killed, Kim reportedly wrote, "Dirty deed Cerritos Bloomfield" in one of her notebooks.
Moon is additionally charged with evading a peace officer and two misdemeanor counts of unlawful firearm activity. Both siblings were taken into custody on March 9, 2025, and are being held without bail.
Key Takeaways
- Cuauhtemoc Garcia, 66, was allegedly shot by Moon after he and Kim confronted him near a bike path in Cerritos to steal his vehicle
- Prosecutors allege the siblings were living out of their Toyota Prius and wanted Garcia's SUV so they would have more room to sleep
- Detective Nam testified that police found notebooks detailing plans to kill their sister, her family, and a neighbor
- Kim allegedly wrote about ordering firearms and stealing ammunition in preparation for attacks on family members
- The siblings are accused of forging their mother's signature on a deed-transfer document for her house
What's Next
Kim and Moon are due back in court on July 22. The preliminary hearing continues as prosecutors present evidence supporting the charges against both defendants.
Both suspects remain held without bail pending further proceedings.