'Horror' 23-Year-Old Woman Murder and Arson Suspect Was Victim's Older Sister's Ex-Boyfriend [Brave Detectives 5]

*This content was translated by AI.

'Brave Detectives 5' uncovered the truth behind a bizarre murder case with strange traces left at the scene, as well as a gaslighting incident where long-term psychological manipulation led to criminal acts.

In the 22nd episode of 'Brave Detectives 5' (directed by Lee Ji-seon), broadcast on T-Cast E Channel on the 25th, Detective Yang Il-mo, Detective Ryu Seung-jun, Forensic Pathologist Sung Jeong-a, former detective Park Mi-ok, and Hwang Min-gu (Dr.) appeared. They revealed the full details of the case uncovered through relentless pursuit and shared behind-the-scenes stories of the investigation.

The first case introduced that day was the first murder in Seoul that year. The officer in charge recalled, "The scene was extremely unusual. I wondered many times what the perpetrator could have been thinking to do this." The incident began with a report of a fire in a basement apartment of a villa in a residential area. While firefighters forcibly opened the locked front door and extinguished the blaze, they discovered the body of a 23-year-old woman on a bed in a small room. An autopsy confirmed that the victim had already died before the fire started; the cause of death was asphyxiation due to neck compression.

What particularly caught the detectives' attention were rolls of toilet paper found throughout the scene. Multiple layers of folded or wrapped toilet paper were placed on the victim's wrists and various parts of her body, and loose toilet paper was also found inside the room. The fire originated from the bed where the victim was discovered. Investigators estimated that the perpetrator used toilet paper and other materials to start the fire. Given that the front door was locked, they focused on the possibility that the perpetrator was an acquaintance whom the victim had let into her home without much suspicion, and began tracking the movements of people around her.

At the time, the victim lived alone with her older sister, who was four years her senior. Both sisters had boyfriends, and the sister's ex-boyfriend and the victim's boyfriend were also neighborhood friends who knew each other. Notably, someone visited the victim's home on the morning of the incident day. It was 23-year-old Park (pseudonym), the ex-boyfriend of the victim's older sister. Park claimed he visited around 10 a.m., thinking his ex-girlfriend would be at home, but left when no one answered. He then spent about nine hours riding city buses until returning home around 7 p.m. The detectives raised doubts about this unexplained nine-hour alibi.

After the funeral, testimony from a friend who had been with the victim's older sister on the day of the incident became a new lead. The friend testified that Park had visited the victim's sister that morning and appeared angry during their conversation. This suggested that Park likely already knew his ex-girlfriend was not at home. The detectives summoned Park again to verify his alibi and secured the clothes he wore on the day of the crime. After repeating the same story, Park submitted the clothing and, the following day, visited the police station with his father and confessed to the crime.

Park claimed he had gone to the victim's home because he wanted to meet his ex-girlfriend again, and that he committed the crime out of anger after the victim insulted his parents. Kwak Sun-young reacted to Park's claim by saying, "That is absurd nonsense." It was revealed that the toilet paper found at the scene had been placed in various locations to help ignite the fire quickly. Park confessed that during the process, he sprayed insect repellent and then set the fire with a lighter. During the trial, Park argued he suffered from depression and mental weakness, but was ultimately sentenced to 15 years in prison.

Next, in 'Unfinished Case Q,' the program focused on gaslighting, examining cases where psychological manipulation led to criminal acts and highlighting the dangers of gaslighting in daily life. The first case came to light in 2022 following a report by a male client who paid for sex. The reporter discovered serious injuries on a woman's body and persuaded her to report the incident to the police. Investigation revealed that three people — the victim's husband, a close older sister who had known him for a long time, and that sister's husband — had beaten the woman and forced her into prostitution.

The connection between the victim and the perpetrator dated back over 10 years. The two women became close while working together, and the victim developed such deep trust in the perpetrator that she relied on her more than her own family. However, after the victim's first marriage, the perpetrator encouraged her divorce, brought the victim and her child into her home, and began controlling every aspect of their lives by demanding living expenses and household chores.

The perpetrator took the victim's salary and, when her own family members died, shifted the blame onto the victim while demanding large sums of money. She later forced the victim into prostitution as well. When the victim resisted, the perpetrator threatened her by mentioning debts and the deaths of family members to induce guilt. Over approximately three years, it was reported that the perpetrator stole about 500 million won from the victim.

Although the victim once escaped, she was caught again, which deepened her psychological trauma. The fear of being unable to escape, combined with worries for her child, made it difficult for her to seek help. It was only when a male client offered assistance that she finally decided to report the crime. Former detective Park Mi-ok commented on their relationship: "It doesn't happen all at once to reach such absurd situations. They gradually seeped into my psyche."

Next, Hwang Min-gu (Dr.) introduced another case of gaslighting within a family. A woman in her 20s brought photos and videos to Dr. Hwang, asking him to find evidence of her father's affair. The woman was convinced that some figures in the photos were her father's mistress, but analysis revealed they were not human hands or faces, but parts of objects. Behind this lay the mother, who had long suspected her husband of infidelity. By repeatedly telling her daughter about her father's supposed affair, the mother eventually made even her adult daughter believe it was true.

Profiler Kwon Il-yong also mentioned warning signs that can help distinguish gaslighting in daily life. He noted that if someone begins to control your actions beyond simply pointing out your behavior, you should be cautious. Examples include statements like, "I'm saying this because I care about you — don't get close to that person," "Everything I say is for your own good," or "Who else would tell you this except me?" These are warning signs of attempts to cut off relationships with others or control your judgment. Profiler Kwon emphasized, "Gaslighting cases involve situations where it becomes difficult for the victim to understand, judge, and decide on their own." He stressed the importance of those around them recognizing the danger and helping the victim escape the relationship. Former detective Park Mi-ok added, "It seems crucial for people around them to notice these signs."

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*This content was translated by AI.