New Details Emerge in Bruce Stabbing Murder Case as Sentencing Hearing Concludes
The ACT Supreme Court has heard disturbing new details about what prosecutors described as a "violent and horrific" domestic violence murder that occurred in the Canberra suburb of Bruce. Van Thanh Vu, aged 74, appeared before Justice Belinda Baker on February 6, 2026, for a sentencing hearing after pleading guilty to murdering his 65-year-old partner, Thi Thuy Huong Nguyen, at their Kinloch Circuit home in October 2023.
Graphic Details of the Attack Revealed
During the day-long hearing, the court learned that Mrs Nguyen was subjected to what a psychiatrist termed a "frenzied attack" in the kitchen and lounge room of the residence. She sustained multiple stab wounds, including five to her face and neck, and nine to her abdomen. One particularly severe blow penetrated into her brain, highlighting the extreme violence of the incident.
Vu, who has remained in custody since his arrest, sat quietly in the dock with a Vietnamese interpreter assisting him throughout the proceedings. He had entered his guilty plea just before his scheduled jury trial was set to commence.
Medical Evidence Presented to the Court
Three medical professionals provided evidence regarding Vu's mental and physical health during the sentencing hearing. The court was informed that Vu has been diagnosed with several serious conditions, including prostate cancer, possible dementia, and heart disease. Additionally, he was found to be suffering from major depressive disorder at the time of the murder.
A doctor testified that as a result of his health issues, Vu has a life expectancy of approximately four years and has refused cancer treatment. In statements to a report author, Vu described feeling "blank" in the weeks leading up to the attack, with "no recognition for what was happening in my head."
A psychiatrist told the court that the 74-year-old held a perceived belief that he was being treated unfairly by Mrs Nguyen and felt animosity towards her. While the prosecution did not accept these claims as truthful, they were presented as evidence of Vu's state of mind at the time.
"This attack was not premeditated and essentially happened in a state of angry raged frenzy," the psychiatrist opined, adding that Vu was "operating in a state of mind where all of the time he was closer to the edge, closer to his capacity for losing self-control."
Prosecution and Defence Arguments
Prosecutor Trent Hickey argued that the murder represented a "gross breach of trust" and was intentional in nature. "This was an intentional murder," Mr Hickey stated, acknowledging Vu's depression but asserting that his mental health did not severely impair his decision-making processes.
"He was capable in making rational choices in the weeks and days leading up to the offence," the prosecutor told the court. He noted that before the murder, Vu had traveled to Vietnam for three months and had applied for social housing to live separately from Mrs Nguyen. The court also heard that Vu had a previous conviction for violently attacking the woman, causing injuries to her face.
In contrast, defence barrister Dr Kylie Weston-Scheuber urged the court to consider a sentence that would not result in her client dying in jail. She argued that the crime was not premeditated, pointing out that the knife used was readily available in the kitchen.
Dr Weston-Scheuber suggested the spontaneous nature of the killing was demonstrated by crime scene photographs showing a plate of food still on the kitchen bench and another on the floor. While the prosecution argued Vu had shown no remorse, the defence barrister said a letter he wrote to the court demonstrated "genuine expression of an acceptance of his responsibility."
Sentencing Awaited
Justice Belinda Baker has reserved her decision and will hand down the sentence at a later date. The case has drawn attention to issues of domestic violence, mental health, and sentencing considerations for elderly offenders with serious health conditions.
Support is available for those who may be distressed by this content. Phone Lifeline on 13 11 14 or 1800-RESPECT on 1800 737 732.
