Vietnam Investigates Link Between Missing Creditor and Remains in Vehicle Found 3 Months After Disappearance

In Vietnam's Vinh Long Province, skeletal remains found in a vehicle submerged in a canal are being investigated for a possible link to a man who disappeared three months ago while on a debt collection trip. The vehicle was discovered with the remains inside, along with cash and personal identification. The vehicle, identified as a silver Toyota Hilux G with license plate 51C-383.51, was found upside down more than 50 meters from the bank of the Chet Say canal. The car showed significant signs of impact on its front bumper, hood, and door frames, with the front windshield and front right door glass broken. During the vehicle's recovery, authorities discovered various bone fragments believed to be human. Inside the car, investigators found personal documents belonging to Le Hong Tien, 45, from Quang Ngai province, along with papers related to Y Nga Co., Ltd., and a leather bag containing over 144 million VND in cash, clothing, a hat, and shoes. Preliminary forensic examination of the remains indicated they were parts of arm, leg, and rib bones. The victim was estimated to be about 1.68 meters tall, aged 40-45, and had been deceased for approximately three months. DNA samples have been collected for further identification. Y Nga Co., Ltd., based in Ho Chi Minh City, deals in construction materials and has numerous partners in the Mekong Delta region. Prior to the incident, on June 8, the company's director, Luu Thi Mong Tuyen, 50, assigned Nguyen Van Huy, 49, to drive a car carrying Do Huu Tri, 43, and Le Hong Tien to the provinces of Ben Tre and Tra Vinh for debt collection. Around 7:30 AM on June 12, the three men arrived at a coffee shop in Phu Tan ward, Ben Tre province, about 5 kilometers from where the pickup truck was found. Before entering the shop, Do Huu Tri left a black briefcase containing over 363 million VND in collected debt payments in the car. While at the coffee shop, Le Hong Tien borrowed the car keys, claiming he needed to retrieve documents for a report and would then drive to get breakfast. Sometime later, when Tien was gone for an extended period, Tri texted him. Tien replied that he was experiencing diarrhea and was receiving an IV drip. About 20 minutes later, Tien texted Tri and Huy to return to their hotel, check out, and head home for the day. Huy and Tri returned to their hotel, checked out, and waited for Tien. By approximately 10:30 AM, when Tien had still not returned, Tri was unable to contact him by phone. Do Huu Tri expressed shock upon learning of the discovery of the pickup truck, the skeletal remains, and the documents belonging to his colleague, Le Hong Tien. Tri mentioned that he and Tien had worked together for about ten years but covered different territories. He added that Tien, who was divorced with a son living with his ex-wife, had always been sociable and had no known conflicts with anyone. Tien had not shown any unusual behavior before the trip. "After losing contact, everyone thought he had absconded with the company's money, so we reported it to the authorities," Tri stated. The company later contacted Tien's parents in their hometown but received no further information. Authorities are continuing their investigation, including DNA analysis, to confirm the identity of the deceased and the circumstances surrounding the incident.