Pierce County man killed in stabbing identified. His wife has been charged in his death
A Tacoma man killed in a stabbing during an alleged altercation with his 52-year-old wife has been officially identified, according to the Pierce County Medical Examiner’s Office.
Jay Choi, 62, died from multiple sharp-force injuries Nov. 27 near the 10200 block of Ainsworth Avenue South. His manner of death was listed as a homicide, the office said in a news release.
Choi’s wife, Youngmi Shin, was charged Monday with two counts of second-degree domestic-violence murder in Pierce County Superior Court. She is being held at the Pierce County Jail on a $1 million bail, records show.
Choi was the owner and operator of an HVAC business in Pierce County, according to charging documents. Shin reportedly told investigators she was a housewife who helped in the business office part time.
Shin alleged that her husband was drinking that night and that he was trying to leave the house. Shin hid the keys to their cars because she knew Choi would sometimes drive while intoxicated, prosecutors wrote. While blocking the door, Shin claimed her husband grabbed her by the hair and punched her in the face.
She reportedly told investigators that the killing was in self-defense, prosecutors wrote.
