WESTMINSTER, Calif. – On November 8, 2025, at approximately 8:00 p.m., Westminster police officers responded to a residence near the intersection of Sinclair Avenue and Sorbonne in the City of Westminster to assist the Orange County Fire Authority (OCFA) after a woman was discovered by a family member inside the home, unresponsive and not breathing.
OCFA personnel arrived first and located the woman deceased on a bed with visible signs of trauma. Upon arrival, Westminster officers determined that the circumstances surrounding the death appeared suspicious. Detectives were called to the scene and assumed the investigation.
Through their preliminary investigation, detectives determined the incident to be a homicide and quickly identified a suspect who was located at the scene. Evidence indicates the crime was related to intimate partner violence and is believed to have occurred earlier that same day.
Detectives and officers remained on scene through the night, serving a search warrant and collecting evidence. The suspect, Thai Huynh, was subsequently arrested and booked into the Orange County Jail on suspicion of murder.
The victim has been identified as Katie Huynh, 44.
At this time, investigators believe this was an isolated incident, and there is no ongoing threat to the community.
Anyone with additional information is asked to contact Detective Figueroa at (714) 548-3783 or the Westminster Police Watch Commander at (714) 548-3767. Information may also be provided anonymously through Orange County Crime Stoppers at (855) TIP-OCCS or online at www.occrimestoppers.org.
Here are the potential penalties and sentencing guidelines the suspect could face under California law for a homicide related to intimate partner violence:
- Charge Likely Filed: Murder under California Penal Code §187.
- First-Degree Murder (if premeditated or special circumstances apply):
- Sentence: 25 years to life in state prison.
- Possible Enhancements: Life without parole if special circumstances exist (e.g., torture, lying in wait, multiple victims).
- Death Penalty: Legal but currently under moratorium in California.
- Second-Degree Murder (intentional killing without premeditation):
- Sentence: 15 years to life in state prison.
- Enhancements: Can increase if a firearm was used or if prior violent felony convictions exist.
- Domestic Violence Context (Intimate Partner):
- If prosecutors prove the killing was part of intimate partner violence, it does not reduce the charge from murder; it remains a homicide offense.
- Prior domestic violence convictions or great bodily injury enhancements can add extra years to the sentence.
- Other Factors Affecting Sentence:
- Aggravating circumstances (e.g., cruelty, prior record) can lead to harsher penalties.
- California’s “Three Strikes” law applies, meaning prior serious or violent felonies can result in life without parole.