Suspect in Oberlin professor's killing sought video confession from neighbor

Asia Nguyen-Duy knocked on a stranger's door moments after shooting two people to death in an Ohio home, according to prosecutors. The suspect, covered in scratches and blood, asked the resident to record a video. In that footage, Nguyen-Duy admitted to killing their family and claimed they were escaping a cult while taking full responsibility for the acts.

Nguyen-Duy, 31, of Ashland, Oregon, appeared in court Thursday carried in by several police officers. They were placed in a chair and rolled to the defense table. Court records show the suspect legally changed their name from Daniel Jones in 2025. During the hearing, Nguyen-Duy stated they are gender-neutral and prefer to be called by their current name. They face six counts of murder, four counts of felonious assault, and one count of tampering with evidence.

The victims were 64-year-old Pipo Nguyen-Duy and 56-year-old Thi Tran Phong. Pipo Nguyen-Duy was an internationally exhibited photographer and a longtime studio art professor at Oberlin College. Both died from multiple gunshot wounds inside their home.

Police first learned of the incident on Wednesday morning after finding a smoldering, modified vehicle in an Oberlin College parking lot. The vehicle was registered to Nguyen-Duy and contained loose ammunition and magazine packaging. Officers located Nguyen-Duy nearby and conducted a welfare check at the victims' residence.

A judge set bond at $3 million during Thursday's proceedings. The case has been bound over to the Lorain County common pleas court.