Convicted Sex Abuser, 54, Is Found Hanged

A Fountain Valley man was found hanged to death in his cell at the Orange County Jail on Saturday, just eight days after being convicted of sexually abusing his three daughters--one of whom committed suicide 14 months ago.

Correctional officers found Kyung Mook (Edward) Cho, 54, hanging from a sheet tied to an overhead air vent in his one-inmate cell about 5 a.m., according to Sheriff’s Lt. Tom Garner. On Dec. 17, Cho was sentenced to 84 years in prison and fined $20,000.

At the time of his death, Cho was awaiting transfer to state prison. He was convicted in May of 25 counts of rape, molestation and assault on his three daughters over the course of a decade. The victims included 23-year-old Young Sun Cho, who killed herself by inhaling natural gas in October, 1992.

As with all deaths of inmates in custody, the Orange County district attorney’s office is investigating Cho’s death, Garner said.

In court Dec. 17, Cho’s 20-year-old daughter said her father was “possessed by Satan” and blamed him for her sister’s death. She also accused Cho of using her dead sister as “a slave, a second wife, a second obedient wife.”

Cho, a Korean immigrant and former businessman, denied all the charges after his conviction, saying: “I have tried to be a good father.”

But Orange County Superior Court Judge Richard L. Weatherspoon also condemned Cho, telling him “your acts are despicable, your conduct is despicable. I do not see why you do not take responsibility for your actions.”

Cho’s two surviving daughters and his son--who also alleges that he was abused--have filed a civil suit against him and second wife, alleging that she did nothing to protect them as children, despite their complaints. They are seeking $13 million in damages.

The lawsuit alleges that Cho twice impregnated Young Sun Cho, then forced her to have abortions.