A California Institute for Arts student was found dead in her off-campus apartment, sparking a manhunt for a person of interest who was seen fleeing the scene. The body of Menghan Zhuang, a Chinese national studying in the U.S. on a student visa, was discovered in her residence at the Vistas condominium complex in Santa Clarita’s Newhall community on the evening of February 4, according to the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Office.
Zhuang, 23, known to her friends as Emily King, had been living in the U.S. for three-and-a-half years. She was a senior at the California Institute for Arts in Valencia, located about five miles from her home. Her lifeless body was discovered by her roommate, who immediately called for help.
Upon arrival, officials found Zhuang with multiple injuries to her upper body. The nature and extent of these injuries have not been disclosed. She was pronounced dead at the scene. Authorities believe that Zhuang had invited a male acquaintance into her home the night before her death.
Security footage from the building showed the man, who remains unidentified, escaping through Zhuang’s second-story bedroom window hours before her body was found. The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Office described the man as appearing to be of Asian descent and has labeled him a person of interest in the case.
Lieutenant Michael Modica of the Sheriff’s Homicide Division emphasized the need to identify and locate this individual. Zhuang’s roommate, who has been cooperative throughout the investigation, has been ruled out as a suspect. Modica described Zhuang’s death as a “senseless and violent act” that was not random.
The relationship between Zhuang and the person of interest remains unclear, with detectives actively investigating any potential connections. Reports of Zhuang having an older boyfriend or any history of domestic violence in her relationships have not been confirmed.
In an effort to expedite the investigation, County Supervisor Kathryn Barger has proposed a $20,000 reward for information leading to the resolution of the case. The reward proposal is set to be reviewed by the LA County Board of Supervisors at their February 18 meeting, but if approved, it will be retroactive to February 13.
The California Institute of the Arts has been assisting in the investigation and facilitated contact between the sheriff’s office and Zhuang’s family in China. Zhuang’s father and sister arrived in Los Angeles on Wednesday, according to Modica.