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Biology department officials in state of shock

By Keith Thomas
Editor in Chief
Members of Purdue's biological sciences department have experienced a major range of emotions, department head David Asai said in a statement released Tuesday.

Following last week's murder of department doctoral student Yeunkyung Woo, 31, and her sister, Huo Kwung Woo, 29, the biological sciences department received some additional shocking news on Monday.

In a statement released by the University on Monday, Zhan Yin, 27, also a graduate student in the biological sciences department, was named the primary suspect in the double homicide case.

"We in the department of biological sciences are devastated by the recent events that involve two of our graduate students," Asai said in the statement. "Our emotions are understandably jumbled at this time: We are confused, angry, and stunned. Above all, we grieve."

The department is grieving for the sisters, who were found dead in Yeunkyung's campus apartment in Purdue Village on Friday.

Following the initial weekend of investigations, which included several local, national and international agencies, authorities issued a warrant for Yin's arrest. According to reports, Yin fled to Oklahoma City, Okla., to visit a friend who attends Oklahoma State University before departing for the Chicago area in a red Ford Taurus rental car, Indiana license number 95N3297. Yin's wife, according to the release, called police after unsuccessfully attempting to get Yin to cooperate with investigators and also stated that she thought Yin was suicidal.

Joe Bennett, vice president for University relations, said the biological sciences department has had to deal with the worst of emotions in this case.

"The people in biological sciences have felt a special shock," Bennett said. "There is a feeling of great shock and sadness, and at the same time, because both of the students who are highlighted in this - the victim and the suspect both come from that department - I think that they're feeling very uncomfortable right now."

Also uneasy about Purdue's "terrible crime" are members of the Purdue Village, some of whom have already began moving out of their apartments.

Monday, Purdue officials held two community meetings to answer questions concerned housing members had about the details surrounding the deaths. In addition, Purdue President Martin Jischke asked those attending Sunday's summer commencement ceremonies to observe a moment of silence for the slain sisters.

Asai is trying to hold his department together as they go through their "confusing time" and he said he doesn't have the answers.

"At present, we know no more than what has been reported by the University to the media," he said. "We will continue to cooperate with the law enforcement authorities. To speculate about possible details and motives surrounding the crime is simply not productive at this time.

"We wish to extend our deepest sympathy and condolences to the family of the victims."

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