The sibling of an American actor preparing for a major Broadway debut has been charged in connection with the deaths of their father and stepmother, with prosecutors revealing a disturbing statement allegedly made by the accused.
Asia Nguyen-Duy, 31, was arrested after two people were discovered dead inside a home in Ohio.
The victims were identified as Pipo Nguyen-Duy, 64, a professor at Oberlin College, and his wife, Thi Tran Phong, 56.
The tragedy unfolded as Pipo's son, actor Quentin Nguyen-Duy, was preparing to appear in a Broadway production of Aaron Sorkin's A Few Good Men.
During an early court appearance, prosecutors described an unusual series of events surrounding the investigation and disclosed a statement they attributed to Asia.
What happened to the actor's parents?
According to reporting by VT, police initially became involved after receiving a report of a vehicle fire in a parking lot shortly before 9am.
The vehicle, a Toyota reportedly belonging to Asia Nguyen-Duy, had been modified in an unusual manner.
Investigators discovered that it had been boarded up and fitted with a wood stove and a makeshift chimney.
Officers also reportedly recovered several belongings and items of interest, including a wallet, passport, suitcase, keys, loose ammunition and packaging associated with a Glock firearm.
The discovery led investigators to the family home.
At approximately 10:30am, officers entered the property and found Pipo Nguyen-Duy and his wife dead.
Both had suffered multiple gunshot wounds.
Authorities subsequently began searching for a suspect, and Asia was located approximately two hours later.
Prosecutors alleged that Asia had blood and scratches on their body when officers found them.
The firearm believed to have been used in the killings had reportedly not been recovered at the time of the initial court proceedings.
What were the chilling words allegedly spoken by Asia Nguyen-Duy?
During court proceedings, prosecutor Zachary Simonoff shared statements he said Asia had made following the incident.
According to the prosecutor, Asia claimed to have been escaping a cult.
Simonoff told the courtroom: "He says he's escaping a cult. He also says 'everything I did was on my own accord, and I take full responsibility'."
The latter statement, "Everything I did was on my own accord, and I take full responsibility," was the particularly striking admission attributed to the accused.
However, the prosecutor's account should not be confused with a formal guilty plea or a judicial finding that Asia committed the killings.
The reported reference to a cult has also not been independently substantiated, and the supplied reporting does not establish that any such group was connected to the deaths.
Asia remains accused of the offences described in the court proceedings, and criminal responsibility must be determined through the legal process.
What happened during Asia Nguyen-Duy's court appearance?
Asia appeared in court approximately two days after the bodies were discovered.
According to reports, the 31-year-old refused to walk into the courtroom and was carried inside by four officers.
During the proceedings, Asia explained that they are non-binary and use the name Asia, having previously been known as Daniel Jones.
The accused then faced the charges arising from the deaths of Pipo and Thi.
Reports stated that Asia had been charged with six murder counts connected to the two victims.
Multiple counts can arise from different legal theories or circumstances associated with the same deaths and do not necessarily mean that six separate people were killed.
The case remained at an early stage in the supplied reporting, with no conviction or final verdict established.
Who is actor Quentin Nguyen-Duy?
Quentin Nguyen-Duy is an actor whose television credits include appearances in Law & Order: Special Victims Unit and The Rookie.
He was preparing for his Broadway debut in Aaron Sorkin's A Few Good Men at Lincoln Center Theater in New York.
The production was scheduled to open on October 28, placing the tragedy at an especially difficult moment in his professional life.
According to the Daily Mail, Quentin nevertheless appeared on stage for the production's opening night.
He had not publicly commented on the deaths at the time of the reporting.
There is no suggestion that Quentin was involved in the incident.
What has Quentin Nguyen-Duy's family said?
Following the tragedy, Quentin's mother, Élan Chardin Gombart, issued a statement requesting privacy for those affected.
Speaking to the Daily Mail, she said: "All families involved are deeply grieving this tragedy and ask for privacy during this time."
She also expressed hope that subsequent reporting would treat everyone affected with compassion and discretion.
The statement reflected the devastating impact of the deaths on a family already facing intense public attention because of the criminal investigation.
Who was Pipo Nguyen-Duy?
Pipo Nguyen-Duy was an artist and longtime professor at Oberlin College in Ohio.
He had taught at the institution since 1998 and was remembered by colleagues for his artistic work, teaching and mentorship.
Following his death, Oberlin College issued a tribute expressing sympathy to the couple's family and friends.
The institution described Pipo as a cherished teacher, artist and colleague whose influence extended across the college community.
It also acknowledged the grief felt by students and colleagues who had known him over many years.
His wife, identified in the college's tribute as Trần Thị Nam Phong, was remembered alongside him.
What happens next in the investigation?
The criminal case concerns the deaths of two people who were found with gunshot wounds inside their Ohio home.
Investigators have examined evidence associated with the vehicle fire, items recovered at the scene and the circumstances surrounding Asia's arrest.
Prosecutors have also described statements allegedly made by the accused, although those statements have not yet been tested through a completed trial in the reporting provided.
Authorities will need to establish the relevant facts and legal responsibility through the court process.
For the victims' relatives and the Oberlin College community, the investigation follows the sudden loss of two people whose deaths have prompted widespread grief.
Asia Nguyen-Duy is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.