Michael Aon Varela, a 36-year-old Army veteran, was convicted of first-degree murder by an Orange County Superior Court jury on Thursday. He was found guilty of the “brutal attack, attempted rape and murder of 68-year-old Dzung Nguyen,” according to Garden Grove police.
The incident occurred on September 10, 2017, when officers responded to reports of a woman down near 13432 Balos Drive around 5 a.m. Upon arrival, they found Nguyen partially naked on the front lawn of a home, with blunt-force trauma to her face.
Varela was found shirtless and covered in blood near the scene. His inconsistent statements and the evidence found led to his arrest. Nguyen, known in her neighborhood for her long walks and collecting recyclable items, was transported to a local hospital where she died ten days later.
Varela’s DNA was discovered on Nguyen’s clothing, while Nguyen’s DNA was found on Varela’s private parts. Security cameras in the area captured the headlights of Varela’s car approaching around 4:38 a.m., and scattered recyclables were spotted around 5:09 a.m. Investigators believe the attack occurred within this time frame.
Varela, an Orange County native, enlisted in the U.S. Army after high school but was discharged two years later for drunk driving. Nguyen, on the other hand, was described as a quiet, unassuming woman who enjoyed long walks in the neighborhood with her husband.
Varela’s sentencing is scheduled for August 4. The conviction is hoped to bring closure and a small measure of peace to Nguyen’s loved ones.