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A woman’s remains are found in a New York dumpster.
CASE DETAILS New York City has always promised the hope of a new start to immigrants like Su-Young Kim and his wife, Su-Ya. In 1981, they married in Seoul, South Korea, then moved to the United States. Su-Young and Su-Ya worked in flea markets until they were finally able to open two stores, one in Long Island and the other in Bushwick, a section of Brooklyn known for its ethnic diversity.  Su-Ya’s nude body was found in a dumpster As the business grew, so did the Kim family. Su-Ya and Su-Young had two sons, and often the whole family could be found at the Brooklyn store. The Kims eventually moved to a spacious apartment in Queens. There, on the afternoon of June 29, 1991, just five days after Su-Young and Su-Ya had celebrated their tenth wedding anniversary, Su-Ya left the boys with their grandmother while she went shopping. When Su-Young came home at 8 PM, his wife had not returned from her shopping trip. He called all her friends, but no one knew where she was. Su-Young’s concern mounted after he found Su-Ya’s car still parked in the garage, its engine stone cold:
The next day, Su-Young Kim was summoned to the medical examiner’s office to identify a body: “I could not and did not want to believe what was going on. As soon as I recognized my wife’s body, I felt everything was over. The whole world seemed to crash down on me. I could not think of anything else except my children.”  A guard caught a man in the alley at 3:00 AM Su-Ya Kim had been stabbed nine times. Her body was dumped in the Bedford-Stuyvesant section of Brooklyn, seven miles from the Kims’ apartment in Queens. Although she was nude, there was no evidence of rape. Su-Ya appeared to be the victim of random violence. But unlike many random crimes, this one had a witness. Joe Jones was a private security guard hired to patrol an abandoned building in Bedford Stuyvesant. Around 3:00 AM, ten hours after Su-Ya had disappeared, Jones noticed a man behind a building:
The man’s demeanor made Jones suspicious. He got a brief glimpse of the license plate before the car backed out:
 An ambulance arrived, but it was too late Joe Jones recruited a friend who happened by. Together, they cautiously searched the contents of the dumpster. Amidst layers of debris, they saw a woman’s hand. It was the body of Su-Ya. In an uncanny coincidence, the first vehicle to pass by was an ambulance, but it was too late. Su-Ya had already been dead for hours. Thanks to Joe Jones, however, Detective Derrick J. Parker had a description of the killer and his car:
The vehicle was registered to a Taiwanese exchange student at a Long Island college. She said she had not driven it since about ten o’clock the night before. There was no blood in or on the car. And when Detective Parker checked the engine, he found it had not been driven for hours:
Police then began to look at their star witness, Joe Jones, as a suspect. They requested that Jones take a lie detector test. He passed with flying colors and police were positive he had nothing to do with Su-Ya’s murder. For nearly two years, Su-Young Kim stayed in the United States, but the memories of his wife proved too painful to bear. In April of 1993, he shut down his business and returned with his two little boys to South Korea:
Police have one particular theory which may yet help identify Su-Ya’s killer. The dumpster in Bedford-Stuyvesant was not easily visible from the street, so police believe the killer may be a delivery man or a cab driver, someone with detailed knowledge of the neighborhood. Watch this case now on Amazon Prime in season six with Robert Stack and in season six with Dennis Farina. Also available on YouTube with Dennis Farina. Various seasons available now on Hulu. SUBMIT A TIP |
Jim Miller
I honestly believe Sue Ya probably was having an affair with someone else on the night of her murder I feel she may have been out with someone on a date or at his place later for what he wanted was sex and maybe when she refused his advances he killed her but he wasn’t crazy enough to rape her as that would have left semen behind and a positive DNA match of him this was not the work of a serial killer just some nut case who committed a random act of violence who got away with it if there not deceased today..
Anon
The suspect reminds me of a boater or surfer with the way he was dressed. Check near the beaches for this suspect.
Sol
He’s not a surfer. No surfer would be caught dead in Nautica running shorts.
Anoner
Exactly. They should be looking at Macy’s! Investigate even the discount areas, as criminals are known to be on tight budgets! Dressing rooms, check stands.. don’t forget to double check those credit card applications too, to capture an address and fingerprints and DNA (maybe blood, god-willing). Take care!
AH
Look at this photo of Rex Heuerman from high school. Looks exactly like the composite sketch.
https://nypost.com/2023/07/22/gilgo-beach-suspect-rex-heuermann-almost-killed-classmate/amp/
James
The blond suspect is 5’6. Rex is 6’4. So no match. Please do not provide baseless leads.
Benji P
It’s Rex Heurmann!!
Kayla
bro i thought you were messing around until i had to look up what he looks like. The skatch dose look like him with glasses and if his hair was better
Melissa
Did they check vehicles that look like a Nissan? Like a Buick regal, esabre, century. Maybe a Honda Accord or Ford T are all
Thank you
Or how about a spaceship? Did they check one of those? EXACTLY!
Cecelia
Had to check if there was an update on Su-Ya Kim’s murder I feel the detectives should’ve looked closely at all the residents that Lived in the new building The Kims just moved into weeks before! Because if she didn’t even make it to her car I think it’s obvious someone abducted her from the building who Lived There or was Visiting! Even though they say there was no sexual assault I’m sure that was the part of the motive & probably why she was naked! I imagine she fought really hard & the person Stabbed her to silence her before he could rape her(which happens in Murder cases)Because they were either in the garage or an apartment unit where the killer thought others could possibly hear her screams. I hope they saved all evidence from the $20Bill, her autopsy records, DNA samples from her, the $20 the Dumpster evidence & her. They may need to exhume her to compare DNA & check CODIS! Did they even ask if anyone who matched that description of the suspect live in the building? Or who visited a resident or used that parking garage?? I think it’s possible the license plate number wasn’t exact it’s hard to Quickly remember license plates -No one Seems to Think how difficult it must have been to see this woman’s body in a dumpster in real life! That’s a bloody scene with spots of blood you just walked near & you realize they’re dead you have to go call the police and now you have to Recall the numbers that you saw before you came upon this horrific crime scene! So it’s unfortunate But Understandable that he may have got the license plate numbers wrong. I just hope they stop this murderer once & for all & soon for overdue justice for Mrs.Kim! Imagine the kind of Sick & gruesome things they’ve done Since knowing they got away with murder!!!!!!
I just hope they find the killer before it goes unsolved forever
sdy
The only way they’re going to be able to solve this case is through DNA or a confession. Even if they somehow link it to someone they’re not going to be able to prove he dumped the body just because the security guard saw him messing around in the dumpster. The blood on his hands, he could make up anything to say its something else. Too many holes to escape through here.
My thoughts on what could have happened here is that it was 5pm and still light outside since it was summer time. So going shopping makes since. I don’t believe she took her car at all, but was waiting for someone in the garage her husband didn’t know about. This could have been an acquaintance she decided to hang out with because if the husband says she usually got home before 8pm, leaving at 5pm would kind of be cutting it close to be shopping. If she we’re being abducted someone would have heard some commotion or someone (most likely) screaming for help. This acquaintance eventually made advances toward her and she didn’t accept which led to her being killed. The exchange student should have been interviewed more because if she didn’t drive her car since 10pm on the 29th that’s still with in the time window of this incident occurring. If the security guard saw blood dripping from the dumpster then the murder happened somewhere around midnight. They had just recently got another store in Long Island and the student lived in Long Island. I would look into any Commercial Realtor’s that she might have come into contact with that she could have met while trying to get the new store. She may have met and befriended someone that could be linked to all of this. I don’t believe the perp is a delivery driver or taxi driver. He was too clean cut for that. Someone involved with Commercial Real Estate or owning commercial property in that area where she was dumped makes more sense to me. That dumpster was too in the cut for someone without intimate knowledge of that area to know where it was.
The Security Guard’s story is interesting to me. I don’t believe he killed Su Ya but I do believe he knows more about this case. Who was his boss and the company he worked for? May he have known the person he caught messing around in the dumpster and the person paid him something significantly more in return besides the $20 he gave him? Could have gave him or a relative of his some property or paid their rent up for a while. The cars license plate coincidently comes back to another Asian woman in Long Island. Again, my belief is someone owning property near where the body was dumped or involved with Commercial Real Estate is responsible for this.
Meena
I thought it highly suspicious that the car Su-Ya was supposed to be driving was still parked in the garage and her body was nude though sexual assault was ruled out. What brought it all home though was that random violence usually sees one to four stabs but nine stabs sounds too domestic like a crime of passion or jealousy. The culprits are between the sweet grieving husband and the random Taiwanese student. And don’t tell me about the White guy who was paid to do the crime of disposing of the body or the Black security guard who is very extroverted and happy to be on TV even under the $20. circumstance. It’s very sad though that the sketch artist sucked that badly.
Jarvis
I believe strongly that su young Kim have met the exchange student.who car license plate matched the witness joe Jones statement on the killer car model and plate numbers.i believe she met the young Asia doing the time the Kim’s open up they first store.And met her killer around the same time considering that the killer was a college student who we either friends with the exchange student,or they went to the same college not far at all from the Kim’s first store..as he was attracted to Asia women more then they was attracted to him,and considering his friend the exchange student was Asia and rejected him as being her boyfriend,so that’s what drawed him to su young Kim,as he would again be rejected by another Asia woman he was attracted too,that gave him a motive to murder her as he was tired of the being rejected by Asia women and women as a whole..he knew where she stayed for the fact he been watching her since the moment him and his exchange student friend met su younng Kim..don’t rule out that exchange student she could be involved but only after the fact..that would explain why she was out 10 at night.and given a fact that the correct time su young was murdered can’t be given.you can almost place possibly place that exchange student there before the murder or after,but let’s say after.that would explain the confusion in the license plates,that exchange student played apart in that confusion to throw investigators off her friend the killer trail..my opinion is that the exchange student knows more then she told she knows the identity of su young Kim killer…..They was college students what ever college that the exchange student went to not far from the Kim’s store,it’s time to look thru old year book photos to see if anyone in that year book from that exchange student college to see what face match the identical portrait of su young Kim killer.
thinkingoutloud
so this murderer is dumb enough to ask a random stranger for help, display signs of blood on him, dispose of the body, and leave all while this one man is watching him? something doesn’t add up.
i wonder if su-ya had actually went out with her friends that night. maybe the husband is involved?
Jorge
Hmm, I had that same thought of the husband . He came home at 8pm, where was he at that time ? Working or what ? Was the black security guard ? Was he making up a story ??
Jason
Marie,
You know how many people in NYC that had touched that $20 bill?? Even if the crime was committed today, it’d be difficult (but more likely) to solve b/c of DNA left in the car. If there’s no security cams, no DNA, there isn’t much to work with.
Jorge
Why they didn’t check dna of the dumpster ? The killer would have to close the lid
Debbie
Dna has become so synonymous with solving crimes people don’t realize not only do you need a match (what if the guy was never arrested or had his dna taken for any reason ) but also dna just doesn’t stick all over the place and the other reply was correct how many people touched the dumpster and the bill – they never got any blood it would have been impossible especially when the crime happened
Marie
Ripken seemed to target prostitutes.
Marie
The killers fingerprints were on that $20 bill. Didn’t they check for fingerprints in 91?
Jorge
Exactly! What about the dumpster ?
John Doe
I’m absolutely convinced that the killer was a lover who may have frequented the shop they owned. The murder took places just 2 days after their anniversary. Coincidence? I think not. Such Ya Kim wanted to break it off with the guy who she was having an affair with and he couldn’t take losing her. I think her husband knew it too and that’s why he left the country. Find the lover anfind the killer. You will solve the case.
Luisrampage1
I am on the bench on this one because because I use the photo of the sketch itch of And the name Of Joel Rifkin Showed up And guess what he was stopped because of a license plate that was not on his vehicle huh how suspicious is that The license plate that they traced the car was not moved since 10 o’clock Had no blood So if it was him I’m not saying I do not know I’m just looking at the factsHe probably was driving a Nissan saw another Nissan same model and took the license plate did the crime and came back and put the license plate back onBecause he had plenty of time to do that Now my other theory is It was a love triangle But 9 stabs instabs is is someone that is jealous about somebody else So it could be if you guys find the real estate agent that was that was selling the property the stores You might find a love triangle I Believe She found out and went to confront her yes her And she paid someone to make it look like a rape That’s why she did not have clothes
Melissa
What if the killer was in love with the student who owned the car? He went there to kidnapp/rape/kill the student but cave up behind the wrong girl, getting Su-Ya instead. So he panicked, unable to rape her (not the girl he wanted or out of fear) killed her and get rid of her, dropped car off and left.
Kkumdee
Alex ayala
Can i ask where u worked for the kims?
Sparta
he probably works/worked for a moving company. I think anyone who moved in or out of the building she lived in (during this time frame)should be traced to find out if they had a hired moving company. This man who killed her had watched her for awhile and knew the habits of the building and her family. He probably knew her from the flea markets the family business began in.
Alex Ayala
I worked for this family I would just like to know if they found that person who killed ms su young Kim.. they was the nicest people I have ever met..
Cecelia
Wow I can’t imagine how u feel because it seems like a Mystery I Just saw this episode yesterday in Dec. 2022 I wanted to look up any updates I think you should talk to investigators Because the case is Cold & u may know of Someone that Might of showed her too much attention at the store? Could u remember any friendships outside her work or marriage? My theory was the killer might’ve lived near the exchange student & knew her routine, so he knew she’d never leave home late at night & stole the car to commit the murder & brought it right back after idk why I just jumped to that scenario/maybe it was random a serial killer or a stalker she didn’t know(Her husband seemed)broken hearted sorry for your loss & I hope Mrs Kim murder is solved one day
A.H.
Convicted serial killer Joel Rifkin bears a resemblance to the man in the composite sketch and committed his crimes in New York. http://truecrimejunkie.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/rifkin_Joel_130x171-e1307383835803.jpg
This may be a tip to pass along?
Anonymous
He does!
Michael Doyle
That is true, but I believe Joel Rifkin strangled all of his victims (except his first which was years earlier). Su Ya was stabbed 9 times. They often say stabbing someone so many times is a sign of anger, often personal. The husband seemed genuinely broken up about it so i don’t think it was him, but maybe he or his wife had an enemy we don’t know about. Also pointing away from Rifkin is the fact he seemed to confess in detail to most of his murders and sometimes seemed to brag about it. I don’t think he would have failed to include this Su Ya when discussing the other murders. He certainly resembles the sketch but I think it ends there.
Anna
Did they ever give the husband a polygraph test ?
Anonymous
Hi UM,
Can you let me know which law enforcement is handling this case? If they haven’t already, they need to exhume her body. I’m sure the DNA would help them catch the killer.
unsolved
Hi A.H. – this case is being handled by the NYPD.
Anonymous
Hi Unsolved Mysteries,
Is it possible to to advise the authorities handling this case to DNA test her body? With our technology today, that should almost certainly solve the case.
22
Its been too long. Im sure no one is handling this case. Even the perp would not be around.
AH
I can’t find the appropriate contact for this case. The composite resembles serial killer Joel Rifkin. Perhaps if the NYPD ran a DNA profile, they’d maybe have the match?
Chanita
That Was A Dumb Thing To!He Needs To Face The Death pentley!
Tanya
I was 3yrs old when this happened and this was right up the block from me. I always wonder who , what, when, where , why and how. This case should be reopened and her DNA should be out into the fbi database. That family needs justice such a horrible way to die. I always google her name to see if they have any new leads.
Blue bird
Wow How Did He Do That? If That Was Me I Would Never Do That Especially At 3:00 In The Morning? I Feel So Bad For Both The Suspect And The victim And Her Family U know What did That Woman Do To Prevoke That Man? I Mean What Made Him So Mad ? God Forbid Note To The Killer U Had Become Satan’s Puppet And He Will Destroy Your Path Will Lead U To Destruction?
Joanna L.
I just watched the episode of this poor woman… I pray they reexamine every thing ….Her poor kids and family deserve justice….. Wow! In a dumpster!!!!
J.Viper
You have a license plate number and vehicle match. That is the key to this case. So what if the owner of the vehicle said she hadn’t driven it all night. Just baffles my mind that you have such a good lead and nothing comes of it.
A.H.
Beyond me as well. Could Mr. Jones have gotten the license plate wrong? Doubt it. Did someone change the license plate number?
Feel so bad for Mr. Jones. He must have felt great knowing he was going to solve a crime. No clue how this didn’t turn out anything.
Guy
Having problems finding the proper NYPD tip line. This guy absolutely could be Joel Rifkin and we should ask them about comparing Rifkin’s DNA to the killer of Su-Ya. Can you help, Unsolved?
unsolved
Su-Ya’s case is being handled by the 81st Precinct. We unfortunately do not currently have a contact name there: http://www.nyc.gov/html/nypd/html/precincts/precinct_081.shtml
A Guy.
The killer looks a LOT like New York serial killer Joel Rifkin:
http://www.sitcomsonline.com/boards/showthread.php?t=335598
I feel like exhuming her body for DNA could be a possibility. For all we know, it could be Rifkin. Was in his early 30s at the time of the murder and looks very similar to the man in the composite sketch. This is something that should be told to the NYPD.
Andrew Q
Has anyone seen this guy with glasses who looks like that picture of a man who maybe a delivery man or a cab driver in Brooklyn? Please leave a comment if you did see him.
JDK
it’s been almost 15 years
how can anyone tell