Snapped: Women Who Murder – Episode: Daphne Wright
Introduction
In this gripping episode of Snapped: Women Who Murder, Oxygen delves into the harrowing case of Daphne Wright, a spiritual advisor whose quest for financial gain led to the brutal murders of an elderly Vietnamese couple, Long Nguyen and Hong Lee, in Arlington, Texas. Over the course of the episode, listeners are taken through the intricate web of deceit, financial desperation, and supernatural manipulation that culminated in this heinous crime.
Background: The Nguyen Family’s American Dream
Long Nguyen and Hong Lee immigrated to the United States from Vietnam in 2000, bringing with them cherished traditions and aspirations for a prosperous future. Settling in Arlington, Texas, they established a commercial sewing business with the help of their son-in-law, Chow Tran.
“When Long and Hong arrived to Texas, they started a commercial sewing business. And they enlisted the help of their son-in-law Chow to help run it.” [10:00]
Despite initial successes, including lucrative contracts with major companies like Disney, the family’s business began to falter by 2011 after losing these significant contracts.
The Crime: A Violent Encounter
On June 10, 2012, Arlington police responded to a welfare check requested by Chow Tran, only to discover Long and Hong Lee brutally murdered in their own home. The victims were found hogtied with duct tape over their mouths and heads, surrounded by signs of a violent struggle.
Officer Weller recounts: “With my 14 years of experience, this is definitely the most gruesome, brutal scene I have ever seen.” [05:15]
The initial investigation pointed towards a possible robbery gone wrong, with ties to local Vietnamese gangs suggested by evidence like a blue bandana and a beer bottle left at the scene.
Detective Stewart states: “This was one of the worst I've seen.” [02:03]
Initial Investigation: Gang Involvement Theory
Arlington’s homicide detectives theorized that the murders might be linked to gang activity, given the presence of typical gang-associated items and the violent nature of the crime.
Detective Stewart remarks: “We theorized that it was staged.” [14:21]
However, the detectives remained skeptical, sensing that the crime was too meticulously planned to be a simple gang-related incident.
The Cold Case: Years Without Leads
Despite thorough investigations, including DNA and fingerprint analysis, no matches were found in the FBI’s Combined DNA Index System (CODIS). The case went cold, leaving investigators with limited leads and growing frustration.
Detective Stewart explains: “After interviewing and swabbing probably 50 to 60 people, family members, a lot of neighbors, we still did not get any results as far as a possible lead on a suspect.” [22:31]
Breakthrough: DNA Evidence in 2015
Three years after the murders, a new development emerged when Willie Guillory, a 16-year-old at the time of the crime, stole a horse in Houston. Upon his arrest in 2015 for this new felony, his DNA was entered into CODIS, revealing a match with the DNA evidence from the Nguyen murders.
Detective Stewart reveals: “She was the driving force behind this whole entire deal.” [31:02]
Confession: The Guillory Brothers’ Role
Willie Guillory and his uncle, Bobby Guillory, confessed to orchestrating the murders under the influence and directives of Daphne Wright. They admitted that Daphne, seeking to recover debts ranging from $250,000 to $280,000, manipulated them into staging the crime to appear as gang-related, hoping to collect on the victims' life insurance policies.
Willie Guillory confesses: “It was an inside job. Daphne ended up giving the key to Bobby to get in the house.” [29:06]
Bobby Guillory further elaborated on Daphne’s coercion, stating:
“Daphne wanted her money. She was something akin to a spiritual loan shark.” [35:02]
Arrest and Trial: Bringing Daphne Wright to Justice
With the Guillory brothers' testimonies, detectives focused their investigation on Daphne Wright. Upon arresting her in August 2016, further evidence, including ledgers detailing her financial dealings, solidified the case against her.
During her trial, Chow Tran, the son-in-law initially involved, testified about Daphne’s manipulative nature and her role in the murders:
Chow Tran testified: “They owed Daphne Wright a lot of money and that Daphne was basically blackmailing them.” [42:43]
Despite attempts by Daphne’s defense to discredit Chow’s testimony, the overwhelming evidence and his credible accounts led to her conviction.
Conclusion: Justice Served
In September 2019, Daphne Wright was convicted of capital murder and sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole. Her accomplices, Willie and Bobby Guillory, also received significant prison sentences for their roles in the crime.
Officer Weller concludes: “What goes around comes around. What's done in the dark will come to light, and I thoroughly believe that.” [46:42]
This case serves as a stark reminder of how financial desperation and manipulative individuals can lead to tragic outcomes, highlighting the importance of thorough investigative work and the eventual triumph of justice.
Notable Quotes
- Detective Stewart: “This was one of the worst I've seen.” [02:03]
- Officer Weller: “With my 14 years of experience, this is definitely the most gruesome, brutal scene I have ever seen.” [05:15]
- Detective Stewart: “If you look at the extensiveness of the duct tape and how it was applied and to what extent it was applied, one would have to believe that the intent was to kill them.” [19:19]
- Willie Guillory: “It was an inside job.” [29:06]
- Chow Tran: “They owed Daphne Wright a lot of money and that Daphne was basically blackmailing them.” [42:43]
- Officer Weller: “What goes around comes around. What's done in the dark will come to light, and I thoroughly believe that.” [46:42]
Closing Thoughts
The Snapped: Women Who Murder episode on Daphne Wright intricately weaves a narrative of cultural beliefs, financial strain, and the dark consequences of manipulation. Through detailed investigation and relentless pursuit of justice, the episode underscores the complexities involved in solving such a multifaceted crime.