Man wanted for murdering a sushi chef may have fled to Nicaragua

Orange County District Attorney Press Release

For Immediate Release, Case # 13HF3771: December 31, 2013

LAW ENFORCEMENT SEEKS PUBLIC’S HELP LOCATING FUGITIVE CHARGED WITH MURDERING SUSHI CHEF ROOMMATE

*The defendant is believed to possibly have fled to Nicaragua

SANTA ANA – Law enforcement is seeking the public’s locating a fugitive, who is believed to possibly be in Nicaragua, who is charged with strangling and murdering his roommate/co-worker. Henry Nunez-Godinez, 22, is charged with one felony count of murder and faces a maximum sentence of 25 years to life in state prison if convicted. A $1 million warrant has been issued for his arrest.

At the time of the murder, 39-year-old victim Chang-Ho Jung was a sushi chef and the defendant was a restaurant attendant in the same restaurant in Lake Forest. The defendant and the victim were also roommates.

On Dec. 11, 2013, Nunez-Godinez is accused of murdering Jung by strangling him with a cord in their Laguna Hills apartment.

The owners of the sushi restaurant discovered the victim’s body after going to check on him when he failed to show up for work. The Orange County Sheriff’s Department (OCSD) began a homicide investigation. Based on the OCSD’s investigation, the defendant was charged with the murder by the Orange County District Attorney on Dec. 26, 2013.

A $1 million warrant has been issued for Nunez-Godinez’s arrest, and he continues to be sought by OCSD investigators. It is believed that Nunez-Godinez may have fled to the country of Nicaragua by way of Mexico. Nunez-Godinez’s vehicle, a 2005 Volkswagon, Jetta, black, license plate #6KJM618 has also not been located.

Anyone with information regarding the homicide or Nunez-Godinez’s whereabouts is encouraged to call OCSD investigators at (714) 647-7046 or (714) 647-7000. Anonymous tips can be submitted to Orange County Crime Stoppers at 855-TIP-OCCS (855-847-8227) or at occrimestoppers.org

Two photographs of the defendant are available to the media upon request.

Senior Deputy District Attorney Ebrahim Baytieh of the Homicide Unit is prosecuting this case.

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Tony Rackauckas, District Attorney 401 Civic Center Drive West Santa Ana, CA 92701

Contacts:

Susan Kang Schroeder Chief of Staff Office: 714-347-8408 Cell: 714-292-2718

Farrah Emami Spokesperson Office: 714-347-8405 Cell: 714-323-4486

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Orange County Sheriff’s Department

Press Release

LAW ENFORCEMENT SEEKS PUBLIC’S HELP LOCATING FUGITIVE CHARGED WITH MURDERING SUSHI CHEF ROOMMATE

*The defendant is believed to possibly have fled to Nicaragua

SANTA ANA – Law enforcement is seeking the public’s locating a fugitive, who is believed to possibly be in Nicaragua, who is charged with strangling and murdering his roommate/co-worker. Henry Nunez-Godinez, 22, is charged with one felony count of murder and faces a maximum sentence of 25 years to life in state prison if convicted. A $1 million warrant has been issued for his arrest.

At the time of the murder, 39-year-old victim Chang-Ho Jung was a sushi chef and the defendant was a restaurant attendant in the same restaurant in Lake Forest. The defendant and the victim were also roommates.

On Dec. 11, 2013, Nunez-Godinez is accused of murdering Jung by strangling him with a cord in their Laguna Hills apartment.

The owners of the sushi restaurant discovered the victim’s body after going to check on him when he failed to show up for work. The Orange County Sheriff’s Department (OCSD) began a homicide investigation. Based on the OCSD’s investigation, the defendant was charged with the murder by the Orange County District Attorney on Dec. 26, 2013.

A $1 million warrant has been issued for Nunez-Godinez’s arrest, and he continues to be sought by OCSD investigators. It is believed that Nunez-Godinez may have fled to the country of Nicaragua by way of Mexico. Nunez-Godinez’s vehicle, a 2005 Volkswagon, Jetta, black, license plate #6KJM618 has also not been located.

Anyone with information regarding the homicide or Nunez-Godinez’s whereabouts is encouraged to call OCSD investigators at (714) 647-7046 or (714) 647-7000. Anonymous tips can be submitted to Orange County Crime Stoppers at 855-TIP-OCCS (855-847-8227) or at occrimestoppers.org

Senior Deputy District Attorney Ebrahim Baytieh of the Homicide Unit is prosecuting this case.

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