Irvine business searched in homicide case

Orange County investigators searched an Irvine business Friday in connection with the death of a Laguna Beach man, an official confirmed.

The homicide division of the Orange County Sheriff’s Department executed a search warrant as part of their investigation in the death of Christopher Ryan Smith.

Authorities searched a business in the 18000 block of Sky Park Drive around 11:15 a.m. Friday, a sheriff’s department official said Saturday.

Smith, a 32-year-old Internet executive, was allegedly killed by his business partner, Edward Younghoon Shin, of Irvine, in their San Juan Capistrano office, the Los Angeles Times reported.

Shin is also accused of using Smith’s email account to message Smith’s family in Oregon. The emails said Smith was traveling in Africa, according to the Times.

Officials arrested Shin and his personal assistant, Kenny Roy Kraft, 34, of Laguna Niguel, in connection with Smith’s death, according to the Times.

Kraft is accused of helping Shin get rid of Smith’s vehicle, which was eventually found in San Jose, and his belongings.

Shin was charged with Smith’s death, but hasn’t entered a plea. Kraft has pleaded not guilty, the Times reported.

—Britney Barnes