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Mother and daughter killed in Walnut Creek are mourned as focus turns to twin 8-year-old girls left behind
A close friend is rallying support for twin 8-year-old girls after their mother and grandmother were fatally stabbed in Walnut Creek, allegedly by their father.
WALNUT CREEK, Calif. - Two 8-year-old twin girls are without their mother and grandmother after both were slain at their Walnut Creek home, allegedly by the girls’ father.
"It's illogical. Who would do this kind of thing?" family friend Lucy Chen told KTVU on Tuesday. Through tears, she added, "Why you harm, harm someone so kind, so nice, so innocent? And maliciously. It's uninmaginable."
The slayings happened Sept. 18 at the family’s home on Kelobra Court. The young girls were present at the time of the killings of Linlin Guo and her mother, Beimin Cheng.
Father charged in double homicide
What we know:
Guo’s husband, Howard Wang, 43, has been charged in the double homicide. He allegedly slashed the throats of his wife and mother-in-law. Sources say he then fired two shots from a 9 mm handgun and falsely claimed he had shot at a fleeing intruder responsible for the killings.
Man charged in stabbing deaths of wife, mother-in-law in Walnut Creek
A man has been charged with double murder in the stabbing deaths of his wife and her mother in Walnut Creek.
Mistress also charged
Dig deeper:
Wang’s mistress, Yan Wang, 45, of Oakland, is also charged in the case as an accessory and with destroying evidence, prosecutors said.
The two defendants are not related, though they share the same last name.
According to the Contra Costa County District Attorney’s Office, Yan Wang entered the home that Howard Wang owned with his wife with the intent to commit larceny. She is also accused of destroying cellphones to prevent investigators from obtaining evidence.
Lover destroys evidence in Walnut Creek double slaying: DA
Yan Wang, 45, of Oakland, is accused of aiding her boyfriend after the Walnut Creek slayings of his wife and mother-in-law.
Divorce filing and prior threats
Court records show Howard Wang filed for divorce in January 2024 but dropped the case in August of that year. Authorities say that same month, he threatened his wife.
Chen says her friend had confided in her that she was unhappy with her husband.
"Her marriage was painful. She's miserable and she wanted to leave," Chen said. "If the marriage would not go smoothly, go through the whole process of divorce."
Family seeking support
Now, the daughters of Guo and Wang are without two maternal figures.
"Linlin leaves behind 8-year-old twin girls who are now without both their mother and grandmother. The family is reeling from unimaginable grief and urgently needs support," according to a verified GoFundMe page.
Donations raised through GoFundMe will go toward funeral and memorial expenses for Guo and Cheng, as well as legal costs related to custody of the girls and ongoing living and educational support for the children.
The family said the slayings are more than just a tragedy.
"It’s a wake-up call to the silent epidemic of domestic violence. Linlin was a loving mother, daughter, and friend. Her story deserves to be heard, and her children deserve a secure future," they said.
Chen said she wanted to send a message to others who may be experiencing domestic violence or abuse.
"There must be many Linlins out there, and being victimized," she said. "We want to tell and send the message…that they're not alone."
The Source: Information for this story was obtained from a verified GoFundMe page on behalf of the victims, along with previous KTVU reporting.