Homicide detectives in Sydney are still on the hunt for those responsible for the kidnapping and murder of 45-year old Bankstown resident Thi Kim Tran.
On Thursday night, Tran was home with her two children when armed men stormed the residence and forced her into the back of an SUV at gunpoint. An hour later, Tran’s deceased body was located in a burnt-out car in Beverly Hills, eight kilometres away.
During the incident, her eight-year-old son was assaulted by the kidnappers with a baseball bat. The child was treated by NSW Ambulance paramedics for serious head injuries before being taken to hospital where he has undergone surgery and remains in an induced coma. Tran’s 15-year old son was also at home during the incident.
CCTV footage shows an obstructed view of Tran being taken from her home at gunpoint before being forced into a car.
NSW Police Superintendent Rodney Hart described the crime as “horrendous” and said that an investigation has been launched to find the men responsible.
“The level of violence is unheard of,” Superintendent Hart said last Friday, adding “I want to reassure the community we strongly believe this is a targeted incident and this has not been a random kidnapping.”
Superintendent Hart, the commander of Bankstown police area, revealed that police have spoken to several witnesses and is urging anyone who witnessed the incident or with CCTV footage to come forward.
Investigators have also set up a “very, very large” canvas of CCTV footage across the six kilometres between the two crime scenes, involving detectives from the State Crime Command’s Homicide Squad and Campsie Police Area Command.
According to Nine News, Tran’s husband was away for work in Queensland at the time of the incident, and he has not been accused of any wrongdoing.
Tran, originally from Vietnam, is believed to have emigrated to Australia more than ten years ago for a better life. Investigators believe she was not involved in any criminality, and was an innocent victim, targeted and murdered by a drug syndicate seeking revenge after their drugs were stolen.
One of Tran’s friends told the Herald that Tran’s murder was “so awful”.
“She didn’t deserve this,” they said. “She was a loving mother. Everyone is in shock.”
7News reported that a relative of Tran’s in Vietnam has taken to social media to demand that authorities “quickly return justice” to the perpetrators.
Friends have posted online tributes to Tran, including childhood friend Jenny Mai, who described being “heartbroken” at the loss of her friend in a post translated from Vietnamese.
“If one day, your best friend leaves you forever, will you cry,” she wrote. “Childhood friends, play with each other … have you ever had a friend like that … carefree days with your college friends … you will [know] my feelings now and more … love you friend and heart broken.”
Deputy Premier Prue Car said “It’s little solace but all I can say to that family is we also want justice,” adding, “This is being treated as a very, very targeted attack.”
According to the Australian Femicide Watch, Tran is the 20th Australian woman to be killed in 2025. Founder Sherele Moody said that on social media and across digital news sites, “armchair warriors are blaming Tran for her own murder.”
“One so-called anti-violence campaigner said she was asking for it… I’d like to know, under what circumstances would this person accept being killed?” she wrote.
“Traditional media and social media companies don’t have to monitor the comments focused on dead victims because … well … dead women can’t sue and their families cannot sue on their behalf.”
“Now her children and husband face ongoing trauma and deep abiding loss; her extended family, who live in Vietnam, must pick up the pieces from afar; and her friends have to find ways to navigate the world without her in it.”
As Angela Priestley wrote over the weekend, we’ve hardly heard a word about the crisis of violence against women from Anthony Albanese or Peter Dutton.
“We haven’t heard anything from two leaders of the major parties, who are in the middle of a federal election campaign,” she wrote. “Up to five masked men forcing a woman into a vehicle after assaulting her and her children. If this isn’t terrorism, then what is?”
If you or someone you know is in immediate danger, call 000. If you need help and advice call 1800Respect on 1800 737 732, Men’s Referral Service on 1300 766 491 or Lifeline on 13 11 14.
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