SALT LAKE CITY – Authorities have charged two people with murder 25 years after a man was stabbed to death at a Salt Lake dance.
Back on May 19, 1991, 25-year-old Youthaloth Oudanonh was stabbed to death at a dance near 120 E. and 1300 S.
Vanvilay Hoomphanh
Now, 25 years later, 44-year-old Vanvilay Hoomphanh and 47-year-old Vienphet Sundara have been charged with his murder.
Court documents state Oudanonh was stabbed multiple times in the neck and died at the hospital.
Witnesses at the dance told authorities the suspects, three Asian men, sped away in a white car.
Not long after, officers found a light-colored car with suspects who matched the description near 300 W. and 900 S.
The officer pulled over the car and found Sundara in the driver’s seat with blood on his hands, face and clothes.
Hoomphanh was a passenger and also had blood on his clothes and the officer said he found a knife with blood on the blade inside the car.
According to the documents, the officer confirmed the men were at the dance earlier that night and the blood DNA on the knife was a match for Oudanonh.
Officials have not confirmed why it took so long to charge these men but said they hope to release more information Wednesday.
Bail for the suspects has been set at $1 million.
Here is the statement from Salt Lake City Police:
SLCPD Homicide Detectives Arrest two for 1991 Cold Case: DNA Technology
Arrests occurred last week in Oklahoma and Roosevelt, Utah
SALT LAKE CITY — The Salt Lake City Police Department made two arrests on a homicide case from 1991. The incident occurred during a dance on May 19, 1991, at 120 West 1300 South in Salt Lake City. Approximately two weeks prior to the homicide, one of the arrested persons and the victim Youthaloth Oudanunh, 26, had a physical confrontation, leading up to the homicide.
Based upon advancements in DNA analysis this case was reviewed and samples tested with funds from a National Institute of Justice (NIJ) federal grant for solving cold cases with DNA. For additional information on NIJ grant programs go to www.nij.gov.
Detectives also re-interviewed involved persons. Based upon the DNA results and new interviews, this case was presented to the District Attorney’s Office Tuesday, January 19th. The DA’s Office issued warrants for both persons.
Last Thursday SLCPD detectives traveled to Oklahoma and with the assistance of local law enforcement, arrested Vienphet Sundara, 47. Also Thursday, detectives contacted Roosevelt Police Department who assisted in locating and arresting Hoomphanh Vanvilay, 44.
Please contact the Salt Lake County District Attorney’s office for comment about this case.
Homicide detectives would like to interview Viengkeo Sundara, 48, a person of interest and possible witness in this case.
The Police Department asks anyone who may know the location of Viengkeo Sundara to call (801) 799-3000. Anonymous tips may be sent by text to 274637. Please start your text with TIPSLCPD, which routes it to the police department. Then include any relevant information. Reference: case #91-47661.
