Leads Sought in Death of Man Found Burned

Investigators had no suspects Monday in connection with the slaying of a 23-year-old man who was fatally shot and his body set ablaze in a neighborhood park Sunday.

Court records show that the victim, Michael Vu, lost his driving privileges in November 1994, after being involved in a car accident and refusing to turn over the name of his insurance company to authorities, according to the Department of Motor Vehicles. During the same year, he also was cited for speeding.

In 1995, Vu was arrested in Orange County on suspicion of driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol and refusing to take a chemical test, DMV records show.

About 6:30 a.m. Sunday, a woman living in the College Park East neighborhood saw a small fire in Aster Park, police said. After dousing the blaze with a garden hose, the woman discovered the body and called authorities.

The man was half-clothed and had no identification, police said.

Investigators believe Vu, whose hometown was not released, was shot and his body dumped in the park. Police declined to release information on where or how many times the victim had been shot.

“It would probably mess up our investigation,” Police Det. Gary Krogman said. Witnesses told police they saw a raised, dark Toyota pickup truck with heavy-duty suspension and big tires leaving the area Sunday morning.

Police are asking anyone with information about the killing to call (310) 431-2541.