Tragic details emerge in Rancho Santa Fe double murder-suicide

RANCHO SANTA FE (KUSI) — Three deaths in a luxury home in Rancho Santa Fe point to a family tragedy. 15-year-old Hanna Arya and 56-year-old Ihnwon Mia Shin were stabbed and killed by 52-year-old Sayeh Amini on Monday. New details emerged Friday indicating Amini had become mentally unstable and was battling with severe depression following the death of her brother, Michael Arya.

Michael Arya passed away in April after a fight with lung cancer, leading to Amini becoming delusional. Amini’s motive to murder her niece, and Shin — who’s been identified as a longtime friend of Michael — remains unclear. The home all three women were found dead in was owned by Michael. 

Related Link: Police investigating three deaths in Rancho Santa Fe

Investigators are still piecing together the tragic situation, but what they’ve told the public thus far points to it being a grizzly murder scene. 

"In my time here this is probably one of the more brutal crimes," Lt. Kenneth Nelson of the San Diego County Sheriff’s Department said during a press conference being held regarding the deaths. "Thank goodness this is not something that happens very often."

Police are waiting to speak to the victims’ families before releasing further details on what happened at the upscale home in Rancho Santa Fe.