Joseph Ciganek, 60

Joseph Paul Ciganek, 60, a white man, was found dead along with a woman and two children in a burning home in the 43200 block of 45th Street West in Quartz Hill about 5 p.m. Monday, June 23.

The bodies of Jenny Park, an Asian woman, and her two children, Jaime, 13 and Justin, 8 or 9, were also found. Neighbors identified Park and two children.  According to L.A. County Sheriff's Lt. David Coleman, Ciganek and his wife, Jocelyn Ciganek, shared their home with Park and her two children.  "The slain woman and children are relatives of Jocelyn Ciganek..." Coleman said.

Ciganek's wife was not home at the time of the incident. Authorities said she was on her way home from her job at a nearby mall when the blaze began.

According to L.A. County coroner's spokesman Ed Winter, Ciganek, a NASA employee, and the boy died from blunt-force trauma. Park and her daughter died from multiple stab wounds. "The burns they suffered happened after they were killed and did not contribute to the death,"  Winter told the L.A. Times.

Sheriff 's officials said Friday that they were looking for two men in connection with the slayings:

Si Young Yoon, 34, of Lancaster, an Asian man (pictured at right) drives a silver 2005 Acura MDX, with California license plate number 5PKL680, authorities said.

Jae Hwan Shim, 39, of Palmdale, who is also Asian, drives a 1998 Mercedes E320, with California license plate number 4ANZ159. 

Shim is believed to be Park's ex-husband, according to court documents. Shim filed for divorce in June 2004. Authorities said the motive for the killings is unknown.

Anyone with information about the incident or location of the two men can  call sheriff's Homicide Bureau detectives at (323) 890-5500.

Update: Authorities have arrested Shim and his alleged accomplice in the deaths of his ex-wife, two children and Joseph Ciganek.

Jae Hwan Shim, 39, former husband of Park, and Steve Kwon, 27, are accused of the killings and setting the home at 43250 N. 45th St. in Quartz Hill to cover up the scene. The two men are also suspects in the disappearance of Si Young Yoon, 34, Park's boyfriend.

Comments

[ruben]

both men were caught i hope they rot in jail

[Concerned in WY]

In my heart I really hope justice is sought and followed though in regards to this horrendous incident.

[Concerned in WY]

This event is such a tragedy. I personally know Si and for anyone who has had the pleasure of knowing him to the depth I did they should consider themselves lucky. He was a gtreat person and role model for many young children such as my self at one time. For any one who knows if he is alrightplease spread the word. So many people are praying for his safe return.

And for his two sisters, the rest of the Yins and other distant family you are in my and many others prayers.

God be with you.

[David]

I hope the LAT keeps us up to date. Have the police found out if the two suspects had anything to do with Mr. Yoon's disappearance yet?

[Nick]

I hope someone kills these two, slowly. Those poor kids.

[Concerned in WY]

Has anyone read or heard any where if Si had been found? Since this terrible incident I have yet to hear of any progress.