Quiet Ohio Neighborhood Rocked by Double Murder — Oberlin Art Professor and His Wife Found Shot Dead at Home

A quiet residential street in Oberlin, Ohio, became the scene of a shocking double homicide after a respected college art professor and his wife were found shot dead inside their home. Their 31-year-old family member has been arrested and charged in connection with the killings.

Pipo Nguyen-Duy, 64, a professor of studio art and photography at Oberlin College, and his wife, Tran Thi Phong, 56, were discovered on October 28 at their home on South Pleasant Street.

Police were initially called to the Oberlin College Conservatory parking lot after reports of a smoking vehicle that may have been on fire. Officers later identified the vehicle’s owner and located Asia Nguyen-Duy, 31, who had previously been known as Daniel Jones.

According to investigators, officers took Asia into custody before going to the family home to conduct a welfare check. They entered the property shortly after 10:27 a.m. and found both victims with multiple gunshot wounds. Pipo was discovered on the first floor, while Phong was found in an upstairs bedroom.

Prosecutors later described a disturbing sequence of events leading to the arrest. They alleged that Asia approached a stranger in the neighborhood and asked the person to record a video. In the recording, Asia reportedly claimed to be escaping a cult and said that everything they had done was their own decision.

During the court hearing, prosecutors also said Asia allegedly admitted responsibility for killing family members. The firearm believed to have been used in the shootings has not been recovered.

Asia Nguyen-Duy faces six counts of murder, four counts of felonious assault and one count of tampering with evidence. A judge set bond at $3 million, and the case was transferred to the Lorain County Court of Common Pleas for further proceedings. Asia has pleaded not guilty.

The killings have deeply affected the Oberlin College community. Pipo had taught at the institution since 1998 and was serving as chair of its art department. Born in Vietnam, he came to the United States as a political refugee in 1975 and later became an internationally recognized photographer.

His career included a prestigious Guggenheim Fellowship in 2011, along with numerous exhibitions and artistic awards. Students and colleagues remembered him as a generous mentor whose passion for photography left a lasting impression.

Oberlin College President Carmen Twillie Ambar described Pipo as a cherished teacher, artist and colleague whose work had touched many lives. The college also made support resources available to students and staff affected by the tragedy.

Police have described the killings as domestic in nature and said there is no ongoing threat to the wider community. Investigators have not publicly established a motive.

The criminal case remains ongoing, and the allegations against Asia Nguyen-Duy have not been proven in court.