Bio

Bryan P. Kim was born on May 9, 1988, and lived with his parents, Richard Kim and Teresa “Terri” Kim, in the Mount Spokane area of Spokane County, Washington. At the time of the murders, he was 18 years old and a senior at Mount Spokane High School. He was an honors student but fought constantly with his parents.

Richard Kim worked as a respiratory specialist at Apria Health Services. Teresa Kim worked as a math teacher at Rogers High School. The family lived in a rural home near Mount Spokane, where Bryan remained a member of the household into late 2006.

Before the murders, police responded to several family disputes dating back to 2002. In one fight, Kim used a golf club against his parents. In 2005, he locked his mother on a second-story porch during an argument about his grades.

Kim took medication for bipolar disorder and depression. His defense argued this affected his ability to plan the killings, but prosecutors proved he acted intentionally. Before the murders, his parents ordered him to move out following constant fights over household rules, rent, medication costs, and internet use.

Murder Story

On December 5, 2006, Richard and Teresa Kim were killed at their Mount Spokane-area home in Spokane County, Washington. Investigators later concluded that the two attacks happened separately, several hours apart. Richard Kim was believed to have arrived home from work at approximately 5:30 p.m. He was attacked inside the home, near the entryway or foyer area. Court records and news reports stated that he was stabbed multiple times, including wounds to the neck and chest area. Investigators believed there had been some form of struggle before his death.

Teresa “Terri” Kim was believed to have arrived home later that evening, around 7:30 p.m. She was attacked in the garage area after returning from work. Reports stated that she suffered blunt force injuries to the head and body and was then strangled with plastic zip ties. Investigators noted that two zip ties had been connected together and tightened around her neck.

After the killings, evidence suggested that Bryan Kim attempted to clean the crime scene. Deputies later found blood inside the home, bloody clothing and shoes, cleaning items, and signs that equipment had been used in the aftermath. The victims’ bodies were found the next day in the bucket of a Bobcat front-loader inside an outbuilding on the family property.

On December 6, 2006, Richard and Teresa Kim failed to report to work. Co-workers became concerned, and a welfare check was requested. Deputies went to the Kim residence and found evidence of blood inside the home. After searching the property, they discovered the bodies of Richard and Teresa Kim.

That same day, deputies located Bryan Kim at Mount Spokane High School. Reports stated that he had gone to school after the killings. Investigators also reported that he withdrew $1,000 from his father’s bank account on December 6, and that he had possession of a bank card connected to his father. A firearm believed to have come from the family safe was later found in Bryan Kim’s bedroom.

Kim initially faced two counts of second-degree murder. Prosecutors later upgraded the charges to two counts of aggravated first-degree murder after reviewing evidence they believed showed planning. The upgraded charges created the possibility of either life imprisonment without parole or the death penalty.

Kim pleaded not guilty in January 2007. His case proceeded to trial in Spokane County Superior Court in January 2008. During the trial, prosecutors argued that the killings were deliberate and premeditated. The defense focused in part on Kim’s mental health and argued issues related to diminished capacity.

On January 29, 2008, Bryan Kim was convicted of two counts of aggravated first-degree murder in the deaths of Richard and Teresa Kim. On February 21, 2008, he was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole.

Kim later appealed his convictions, but in April 2009 the Washington Court of Appeals rejected his claims and upheld the conviction. He remained imprisoned under a life sentence without parole.