source : the age
Loved ones of a woman abducted from her Sydney home and found dead in a burnt-out car in an alleged drug-linked revenge attack have paid tribute to their friend as they struggle to come to terms with her killing.
Thi Kim Tran, 45, was at her Bankstown home in south-west Sydney with a young child and teenager on Thursday night when masked intruders barged in, bashed an eight-year-old boy with a baseball bat and forced Tran at gunpoint into a black SUV.
Thi Kim Tran was abducted from her Sydney home and found dead in a burnt-out car.Credit: Facebook
The SUV and another car sped away from the home. A body believed to be that of Tran was found in a burnt-out car about an hour later in neighbouring Beverly Hills.
The Herald has revealed that police believe Tran was an innocent victim who was targeted and killed by a gang seeking revenge after their drugs were stolen.
As detectives hunt for those responsible for the woman’s kidnapping and death, loved ones have shared their shock at the tragedy.
A close friend of Tran, who chose to remain anonymous for privacy reasons, said Tran and her family migrated from Vietnam about a decade ago and she became friends with her through Sydney’s Vietnamese community a few years later.
Friends have paid tribute to the 45-year-old.Credit: Facebook
She said that even when Tran’s family struggled with the death of Tran’s mother-in-law about a year ago, Tran was “always smiling”.
“She was always happy to see her friends and share meals,” the woman said, adding she was in disbelief at what had happened.
“This is so awful… She didn’t deserve this. She was a loving mother, she was [often] out on adventures. Everyone is in shock.”
Another woman who said she was Tran’s childhood friend from Vietnam posted a moving tribute online.
“If one day, your best friend leaves you forever, will you cry, heartache, yes,” the translation of Jenny Mai’s post read.
“Childhood friends, play with each other… have you ever had a friend like that… carefree days with your college friends… you will [know] my feelings now and more… love you friend and heart broken.”
In a separate post dated three years ago and in which she tagged Tran and another friend, Mai wrote about their friendship remaining strong despite living in different countries.
“Words and images of you will never fade away… wherever you are, we are still good friends forever,” she wrote.
“We never leave each other, when I am in pain you are beside me… this is the true friend… my dear friend, be strong, be the most beautiful woman in the hearts of those who love you. My heart is broken because of missing you and more than ever.”
The tributes reached Vietnam, where a family member posted an Instagram comment asking “the local government [to] return justice to [Tran]“.
Police suspect Tran was murdered because someone close to her had ripped off a gang involved in drug production.
Thi Kim Tran was abducted from her Sydney home and found dead in a burnt-out car.Credit: Facebook
Tran is not believed to have been involved in any criminality and may not have known she was in any danger. Police earlier told media they believe the killing was targeted and not random.
Tran’s husband, who was out of the state during her murder, is not accused of any wrongdoing.
-With Perry Duffin
