Family of Bridge Tragedy Speaks

Bridge Tragedy Four young children reportedly thrown over the Dauphin Island Bridge could be victims of a fight over money.

by Tiffany Craig

Published: Wed, January 09, 2008 - 6:50 pm CST

Lam Luong was a bayou shrimper. His common law wife Nancy Phan was a nail technician.

Together, they were raising 4 young children; 3-year old Ryan Phan, 2-year old Hannah Luong, 1-year old Lindsey Luong and a 4-month old boy named Danny Luong.

The children's uncle, Kam Phengsisomboun, says that Danny had finally come home from the hospital. "He have a heart problem. He just came home two days before he took em."

Nancy Phan was working at Fancy Nails in Tillman's Corner on Monday when co-workers say Lam Luong came in demanding money but didn't get any.

Her brother-in-law says it was a power struggle that spilled into work. "He said just remember you will get what you deserve. He just wanted to show her, prove to her, that he is the man of the house "

The brother also believes that Luong's previous drug problem crept back into their lives. "When he come in, he wants the money. Give him the money. He go whenever he want. He leave whenever he want "

Hours after the reported argument, the couple showed up at the Bayou La Batre Police Department.

Detective Scott Riva says Luong showed little emotion when explaining that his kids were missing. "He explained to us that he had given the children to a relative or someone close to the family and just didn't come back"

For hours, Bayou police searched for the four kids until Luong reportedly confessed that he drove the children to the top of the Dauphin Island Bridge and tossed them in the water.

The children's mother is now in seclusion. The kids were her everything. "If she lose these kids she's not gonna be able to live. I don't want her to commit suicide or stuff like that. We need her to testify against him."

Police don't believe the mother had anything to do with the disappearance of her children.

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ethansmuma Says:

Thu, Jan 10, 2008 at 10:45 am

Everyone is saying what they would have done if they were the mother and I say the same thing. In no way would I have allowed him to leave with my children, but to sit back and be realistic you never know what you’ll do in a given situation. I personally dont believe the mother should be charged. I think the court system couldnt punish her more severly than she will punish herself. An abusive relationship is not always an easy thing to get out of. This lady is in my prayers along with the family for their loss.

fastwheels Says:

Wed, Jan 09, 2008 at 10:47 pm

My heart goes out to her. She has lost all four of her children. To me she is a victim as well. She has been robbed of being a mother and having her children in her life. He is the murderer and monster and he probably was a bully to her. May God be with her.

jacey Says:

Wed, Jan 09, 2008 at 9:23 pm

Bottom line, the parents fought on Sunday, they fought on Monday, all the family was aware he was on drugs yet she and they let him leave with two of the children and then came back and took the other two (according to press releases). Knowing this they are guilty parties to. She needs to be be “hurting”...she knows she is to blame as well for not standing up to him. That is why God invented 911! Those kids trusted her, as well as him, to take care of them and both failed them.

mjtj Says:

Wed, Jan 09, 2008 at 8:16 pm

My heart really goes out to the mother beecause I’m a mother myself. The hatred in the father eyes was revealed in the news video taking him to jail. He definatly needs to rot for the selfish act he commented. But his judgement day will come. I know that Jesus is holding these four precious angels and he is right there with there Mommy and will carry her thru.

It’s a shame that the prisoners get treated better than our servicemen that is protecting us .

mmydel Says:

Wed, Jan 09, 2008 at 7:56 pm

The mother has just had her whole world torn apart. It shouldn’t matter if she speaks to the press. They probably have her on so many pills right now she probably couldn’t speak anyway.
This man needs to be thrown in general population in jail and let them take care of him!! I agree, why waste taxpayers money on a trial, after all he did confess. I also think he needs to be there when the bodies are recovered so he can physically see what he has done to his children. After all imagining it and seeing it are two different things.

jacey Says:

Wed, Jan 09, 2008 at 7:55 pm

I agree. My ex was an alcoholic. If he’d have tried to take my three someone would have needed to call for a body bag! So if this guy had two of the children and went back and got the other two then what imbecile let him have them? He should be made to walk to the top of the bridge, then be thrown off and shot on his way down and let him be fish bait! He’s not crazy, he’s a druggie and mean and the children have perished because of the mom’s stupidity in putting up with it!

SumOneILove Says:

Wed, Jan 09, 2008 at 7:12 pm

I sure hope that she is innocent. I can’t imagine living my life without my children. I just know that if it was me .. he never would have made it to jail after the confession!