Bio

Tuan Anh Nguyen was born on December 10, 1959, in Vietnam. He was part of a family that faced numerous challenges during their early years. In 1975, when Tuan was just 15 years old, his life took a drastic turn. The fall of Saigon led his family to flee the country. They left Vietnam as refugees, seeking safety and a new life.

After a perilous journey, Tuan and his family ended up in a refugee camp in Pennsylvania. Later, a church in Columbus, Indiana, sponsored them and helped them settle into a new home. Tuan's early life in America involved adjusting to a different culture and environment. This transition was likely difficult for him and his family as they tried to find stability.

During high school, Tuan began dating a girl named Donna Barthlow. The couple decided to elope in the summer of 1978, eventually relocating to Bartlesville, Oklahoma. They lived with Tuan's uncle while continuing their education, but both dropped out of school after some time. Tuan and Donna later moved to Tulsa, Oklahoma.

While living in Tulsa, Tuan and Donna welcomed a son named Nathaniel. As time passed, their relationship became strained. Tuan began to display jealous behavior, leading to conflicts between the couple. Due to financial difficulties, they shared a house with Donna's cousin and her family.

In March 1982, Tuan's marriage faced serious challenges. Donna asked Tuan to move out as she wanted a divorce. He agreed but stayed nearby, hoping to resolve their issues. 

Murder Story

Tuan Anh Nguyen, also known as "Tommy Wing," committed his murders on May 23, 1982, in Tulsa, Oklahoma. He fatally stabbed three people: his estranged wife, Donna Nguyen, and her two young relatives, 6-year-old Joseph White and 3-year-old Amanda White.

After the crime, the victims were discovered by the children's parents when they returned home. Donna was found in the living room, and the two children were found in their bedroom. They had all suffered multiple stab wounds, and a bloody kitchen knife was located near Donna's body.

Nguyen fled the scene but was later seen at a convenience store and visited an acquaintance before disappearing for four years. He was arrested in Arizona on June 30, 1986, after a domestic disturbance involving a teenage girl with whom he was living.

In 1986, Nguyen was convicted and sentenced to death for the murders of the children, while receiving a life sentence for his wife's murder. The court found that his actions constituted a continuing threat to society.

Throughout his time in prison, Nguyen's mental health reportedly deteriorated. He was executed by lethal injection on December 10, 1998, coincidentally on his 39th birthday. He was the twelfth inmate executed in Oklahoma since the state resumed executions in 1990.