2 years ago
SACRAMENTO, CA - Chia Vue, the wife of a Sacramento County sheriff's deputy suspected of being involved in a murder, filed for divorce against her husband less than one month before that killing of one of her co-workers in state corrections.
Sacramento County court documents reviewed by News10 show Vue filed for dissolution of marriage on September 12 from her husband of almost 16 years, Chu Vue. She cited "irreconcilable differences" as the reason.
Less than five weeks later, state correctional officer Steve Lo, 39, was gunned down in his open garage as he left for work the morning of October 15. Sacramento police now believe Chu Vue, 43, "was involved in the planning and/or execution of this crime."
Meantime, investigators are searching for Vue's two younger brothers. The Sacramento Bee reported Friday afternoon that Gary Vue, 27, and Chong Vue, 29, were wanted for questioning. The newspaper quoted an unnamed source who said Sacramento investigators want to talk to the brothers about "coincidences" in connection with Lo's murder.
The paper reported Gary and Chong Vue were also wanted on a murder warrant in Minnesota for a 2001 gang-related killing.
Chu Vue was arrested near his Elk Grove home Thursday and charged with a felony of possession of an illegal assault rifle allegedly found during a search of his house October 15, the same day as the murder. While he has not been charged in Lo's killing, his bail of $500,000 is 10 times the normal amount.
Detectives say the assault rifle seized does not match the murder weapon. Several other rifles, shotguns and handguns were also seized, however, from Cue's house and his locker at work.
In court documents filed to seal the search warrant affidavit, Sacramento police Detective Eric Schneider wrote he's "confident that Chu Vue is not the perpetrator of this homicide, but he remains a principal in this case."
Lo was and Chia Vue is a state correctional officer at the California Medical Facility in Vacaville. Sources told News10 Chu Vue was on post at work at the Sacramento Branch Jail at the time of Lo's murder. Lo was married with five children.
Divorce documents show the Chus planned to share custody of their two children, a 10-year-old daughter and an 8-year-old son. The documents also listed substantial assets in property.
Besides the Elk Grove house where the Chus live, the documents listed joint ownership of two other houses in Sacramento. Also listed is a 38-acre parcel of land in Galt and another 2.65-acre parcel in Sacramento. Chia Vue also claimed jewelry valued at more than $20,000.
Other documents obtained by News10, however, show most of the properties were heavily mortgaged. Other listed assets included three vehicles and a 2003 Sea Ray boat.
After Chu Vue's arrest and booking, he was transferred to be housed at Yolo County's jail because Chu's employer runs Sacramento's jail. While Chu was placed on paid administrative leave last week, sheriff officials say last Friday, they began the process to terminate him.
Chu's arraignment is now scheduled for Monday, October 27, at 1:30 p.m. Lo's funeral service is also scheduled for next week.
Previous News10 Story
Police Believe Deputy "a Principal" in Officer's Murder
10/23/08
