Bio

Dương Văn Môn was born in 1963 in Vietnam. He was a member of the Nùng minority group and lived in a rural area. His family was poor, and his primary occupation was rice farming. As a farmer, his life was focused on working hard to make a living.

Môn faced many challenges in his life. At one point, he was reported to have suffered from an unspecified mental illness. This may have affected his ability to deal with stress and conflict. His life took a tragic turn when his mother passed away. Following her death, he wanted to provide her with a proper burial according to their traditions.

Môn dug a grave on village property for his mother. However, he was denied permission to use this grave. As a result, he buried her in his own garden. This situation created a heavy burden on him, both emotionally and financially. To honor his mother with a traditional funeral feast, he took on severe debt.

On the third day of the funeral festivities, guests at his home began to complain about a lack of food and drinks. This pressure seemed to push him over the edge. Môn then armed himself with two machete-like knives and attacked people around him. His violent actions had significant consequences for many in his community.

Murder Story

On August 8, 1998, in the Krông Pắk District of Đắk Lắk Province, Vietnam, Dương Văn Môn committed a series of murders that shocked the local community. The event stemmed from a dispute over the burial of his mother. After she passed away, Môn faced challenges in finding a suitable burial site. He originally dug a grave on village property but was not allowed to use it. Instead, he buried her in his own garden and went into debt to pay for the traditional funeral feast.

During the funeral festivities, on the third day, guests began to complain about the lack of food and drink. In response to the mounting pressure and his distress, Môn armed himself with two machete-like knives. He began his attack at his home, first stabbing an elderly woman who was preparing food, followed by a child. He then pursued others in the village, killing a total of eleven people, which included seven children. Additionally, six other individuals were injured, including his wife.

After the violent acts, Môn attempted to commit suicide by swallowing insecticide. However, villagers found him about four and a half hours later, and he was prevented from carrying out the act. He was arrested by police and taken to a hospital for treatment. In November 1998, he was sentenced to death for the murders he committed.