NSW Police have confirmed a martial arts instructor has been arrested over the alleged murders of a local mother, father and child.
The 49-year-old owner of Lion’s Taekwondo Martial Arts Academy in North Parramatta, known as Master Lion Yoo, is expected to face three murder charges over the tragic deaths of the “loving family.”
The three people who were found deceased have been identified as 39-year-old Steven Cho, 41-year-old Min Cho and their seven-year-old son.
Police will allege that Yoo attended Westmead Hospital on Monday, February 19, at 11:50pm with slash wounds to his chest, arms and stomach.
He told police that the injuries were the result of being attacked in a carpark outside a supermarket in Church Street.
Yoo remains under police guard in hospital, where he is currently recovering from his injuries.
A concern for welfare report led officers attached to The Hills Police District to attend an address on Watkins Road in Baulkham Hills on 10:15am on Tuesday, February 20.
On arrival, the deceased body of Steven was located, with NSW Police confirming he died of several stab wounds.
Following inquiries, officers attended Lion’s Taekwondo Martial Arts Academy where they found the bodies of Min and her son, inside the studio, who died from “injuries inflicted during assault.”
Police have confirmed the boy was a student at the martial arts studio.
Crime scenes were established and examined by forensic police at both locations.
Detective Superintendent Daniel Doherty, State Crime Command’s Homicide Squad described the deaths as a “sad, tragic event.”
“It’s horrendous to think about, and the actions by the man will be subject to charge,” he said.
“What we have established so far, this was a loving family, and anything that involves a child being murdered it’s tragic.
“All I can say of the consequences, as I’ve said before, are cataclysmic and it’s a tragic circumstance.”
Doherty added that the family and friends of those who were killed are still processing the “harrowing” news.
“The family is still dealing with the news, and the friends, but we believe there was no warnings, from what we’ve gathered so far,” he said.
“It was out of the blue, something that wasn’t forewarned, there was nothing that put a red flag up as far as we understand.”
Doherty said police will allege Yoo killed the mother and son inside the martial arts studio, before driving to the Baulkham Hills address in the woman’s white BMW, where he confronted Steven and committed the third murder.
He’s now appealing for anyone with information to come forward.
“It’s early in the investigation, we’re still seeking assistance from the community, we’re still hoping that other people might be able to fill some timelines in for us,” Doherty added.
“I’m sure that other people would have been around the martial arts academy, if not inside then outside between 5:30 and 6:30pm on Monday, 19 of February.
“They may have seen unusual behaviour with this man in the white BMW leaving from North Parramatta to Baulkham Hills.”
Anyone with information that may assist investigators is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
Ellie Busby is a news reporter for Western Sydney Publishing Group. A graduate of the University of Hertfordshire and Western Sydney University, she is a journalism Major. Ellie has worked with Universal Media, The Cova Project and for a range of other organisations. In 2024, Ellie was named Young Writer of the Year at the Mumbrella Publish Awards.