Da Nang woman gets life sentence for killing 5-year-old son for $157,000 insurance

In Da Nang, a 45-year-old woman named To Thi Ty Na received a life sentence for the murder of her 5-year-old son. Na, previously convicted of theft, was struggling financially after her husband's death in 2020. She sold their house and attempted to earn income through life insurance policies. Na purchased seven policies for her children, naming herself as the beneficiary.

Her son, Hoang, was covered by two policies. On January 2, 2023, Na staged the scene to make it look like her son had accidentally drowned in a bucket of water. She later submitted fraudulent insurance claims, receiving over VND4.1 billion from the insurers. The police discovered that Na was the only person with her son at the time of the incident, as the house had only one entrance.

The child's body showed injuries consistent with external force, indicating that he had not drowned accidentally. At trial, Na denied the murder, claiming she bought the policies for her son's health and could not remember key details. She also suggested the child's injuries occurred at school. However, the Da Nang People's Court found her guilty of murder and insurance fraud, sentencing her to life imprisonment and six years for insurance fraud. She was additionally ordered to repay the full amount to the insurance companies.