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Team CoverageLast night, investigators found Hser Nay Moo's body in the basement bathroom of an apartment just across the parking lot from where she lived. Today, family and friends were heartbroken and shocked, but they publicly expressed no anger.
"I have one daughter in this world, and I loved her the most," Cartoon Wah, Hser Nay Moo's father, said in a press conference this afternoon.
It was an outcome feared by investigators, volunteers and family members of 7-year-old Hser Nay Moo: Last night, her body was found.
"In this world, you can't find another to replace her," Wah said.
Today, Wah thanked the community for its support. He was joined by his two sons, a translator, and LDS service missionaries.
"It's a very tragic occurrence. First of all, to think that this beautiful young girl could be hurt, and then to find out that possibly it was a Burmese [refugee] who was involved," said LDS service missionary Paul Van Dyke.
Van Dyke helped Hser Nay Moo's family settle here in Utah. He also knows the suspect, 21-year-old Esar Met, who he says is also a Berurmese refugee and has been in the United States only a couple of weeks.
"I think it's accurate to characterize them as being very close and well-acquainted," Van Dyke said.
Investigators have yet to provide a motive for the kidnapping and murder of Hser Nay Moo.
LDS church officials also have no explanation, saying they don't believe Met had a violent history or reason to harm Hser Nay Moo. "We have not seen anything in the community of the Burmese people that would indicate that there is any friction," Bishop Stephen Naylor said.
Meanwhile, a candle-lit memorial that was set up last night at the complex continues to grow as people stop by to pay their respects. The concern now amongst residents at the apartment complex is the safety of the area.
"It's very, very hard because my granddaughter comes out here and she plays out here and, you know, where can they be safe? …Where can the kids be safe, where? You know, nowhere," said resident Sangeet Park.
Park says there has been some crime in this area before, especially with drugs.
One mother who lives here says she's had an experience last year with a strange man tapping on window and waiving at her daughter. Now she's extra protective and has to answer questions from her younger children.
"But they've expressed, you know, comments like, ‘Why do we ... why would someone do something like that to a little girl?' And questions like, ‘Why does the world have to be this way?' So it's been a very emotionally traumatic," said resident Jessica Torres.
Resident Shane Bridwell said, "There is a big cloud that now sits over these apartments and this area. It's got a lot of people scared, and they're really scared right now."
LDS Church officials tell us the residents that lived the apartment where Hser Nay Moo was found were all refugees. South Parc management has released a letter to residents stating that they have all been evicted.
The apartment manager told us any donation for the family--food, water or money--should be taken to the manager's office on the apartment complex property. In addition, the manager said South Parc management is trying to set up a crisis counseling center at the complex for residents.
There has also been a donation fund set up for the family of Hser Nay Moo at Zions Bank. Donations can be made to a fund in her parents' names, Cartoon and Pearlie Wah. You can donate at any Zions Bank location.
Utah religious leaders are also remembering Hser Nay Moo today.
Catholic officials tell us her name is being mentioned at a mass being held this afternoon at the Cathedral of the Madeleine.
Also, leaders of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints released this statement today: "Our sympathy and prayers go out to the Wah family members as they deal with the devastating loss of their daughter, Hser Nay Moo. We pray that the Spirit of the Lord will bring comfort, peace and healing to them and to the community at this difficult time."
E-mail: wjohnson@ksl.com
E-mail: mgiauque@ksl.com
