2 found dead on UC Irvine campus in suspected murder-suicide

Officials are investigating after two people were found dead in a suspected murder-suicide on the University of California Irvine campus on Tuesday afternoon. 

UCI campus police officers responded to the Social Science Plaza just before 4 p.m. Tuesday after receiving calls about people "on the ground outside a multi-story building."

When officers arrived, they located a man and woman who were declared dead at the scene. Detectives believe the incident is a murder-suicide. 

The Orange County Sheriff-Coroner’s Division identified the suspect as Andrew Nguyen Doan, 36, and the victim as Thao Thai Nguyen, 77. 

Officials say Andrew Doan is the son of Thao Nguyen. According to Irvine police, Doan picked up Nguyen and threw her off the landing of a multi-story building. Doan then jumped from the same landing.

Irvine police say they have contacted Doan multiple times in the past; their last call for service was in 2019 regarding a mental health concern. 

Doan is a former UCI student and last attended the school in 2019. 

UC Irvine students went on winter break on Dec. 9.

Anyone with information is urged to contact the UCI Police Department at 949-824-5223

If you or a loved one is feeling distressed, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. The crisis center provides free and confidential emotional support 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to civilians and veterans. Call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255. Or text HOME to 741-741 (Crisis Text Line). As of July 2022, those searching for help can also call 988 to be relayed to the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline.