Bio 

Samuel Lau was a Hong Kong-born businessman who lived with his family in Bellevue, Washington, a suburb east of Seattle. He was known in the fireworks industry and worked as a broker connected to his family’s Hong Kong-based fireworks business, China National Fireworks, also known as Kwongyuen Hangkee Ltd. Reports described the business as a long-running family company that had traded with American fireworks companies for many years.

Lau was married to Arlene Lau, and they had two sons, Sammy and Terence. Sammy was 21 and attended the University of Washington, where he studied business administration. Terence was 17 and attended Newport High School. Reports from friends and business contacts described Lau as sociable, active in business, and proud of his sons.

Before the killings, the Lau family had recently sold their Bellevue home and was planning to move to a larger house. The home had packed boxes inside and a “sold” sign outside when investigators arrived. The family also had plans connected to Hong Kong travel that summer.

People who knew Lau said they did not see a clear warning sign that he would kill his family. Some friends later said he had seemed quieter, slower, or less energetic than usual. A friend also reported that Lau had been taking tranquilizers for several months, but those around him did not know why. 

Murder Story

On June 16, 1997, Samuel Lau killed his wife, Arlene, and their two sons, Sammy and Terence, inside the family’s home in Bellevue, Washington. Their bodies were found later that day by a real estate agent and family friend. Early reports said the deaths initially raised concern about an outside attack, but the investigation later determined it was a murder-suicide.

Authorities said Lau shot his wife and sons several times in the upper body inside an upstairs bedroom or storage-room area of the home. He then shot himself once in the head. Detectives recovered a 9-mm Beretta handgun inside the house, which was believed to be the murder weapon.

Police said Lau left a several-page note. The note reportedly referred to “business and personal reasons,” but investigators and sources quoted in news reports said it did not give a clear explanation for why he killed his family. The note accepted responsibility and included language about forgiveness, but the exact motive remained unclear.

The case shocked the Bellevue community because the Lau family lived in a quiet, affluent neighborhood and was seen by others as successful and stable. It also happened during a period when Bellevue had already been shaken by other family killings, including a separate family homicide earlier in 1997.

Samuel Lau died at the scene from a self-inflicted gunshot wound. Because he died the same day, there was no arrest, trial, conviction, or sentencing. The deaths of Arlene, Sammy, and Terence Lau were treated as homicides, while Samuel Lau’s death was treated as suicide.