New details revealed in mass murder that left 7 dead at Southern California marijuana grow site

New clues have emerged as authorities continue investigating a mass murder where seven people were shot to death in 2020 at a marijuana grow house in Riverside County.

The property, located in the 45000 block of Highway 371 in Aguanga, a rural town, was home to more than 20 people at one point and housed several makeshift dwellings and a nursery.

On Sept. 7, 2020, Riverside County deputies responded to reports of an assault at the residence at around 12:33 a.m.

At the home, authorities discovered six people had been fatally shot and one woman with a gunshot wound who was still alive. The woman was rushed to the hospital where she later died. All seven victims of were Laotian descent, authorities said.

Investigators discovered the property was being used to manufacture and harvest an illegal marijuana operation. Over 1,000 pounds of marijuana and several hundred marijuana plants were located at the scene.

“This was not a small operation," said Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco at the time. “This is a very organized crime type of operation.”

No suspects were found at the scene and the case went cold.

Over the past four years, investigators have identified and followed up on multiple leads. 

Detectives believe the murders were a targeted incident involving gang members of Laotian descent from the San Diego area. Authorities have also identified one of the suspect vehicles used in the shooting as a mid-size dark-colored SUV. The case was labeled a "home invasion robbery" but nothing was reported stolen.

According to the Los Angeles Times, the victims — five women and two men — were identified by authorities as Samantha Sourignasak, 44 and Khamphour Nanthavongdovane, 53, both of Las Vegas; Phone Chankhamany, 54, Thongpath Luangkoth, 47 and Souphanh Pienthiene, 48. Also killed were Anaheim residents Vikham Silimanotham, 64, and Khamtoune Silimanotham, 59.

The young son of a victim told the Times that most of the people killed were recent immigrants from Laos who were struggling to find employment. Many would work and live on the grow site until they made enough money to eventually move on.

The property was being rented at the time and the owner, Ronald McKay, told the Associated Press that he was surprised to learn anything underhanded had been taking place.

McKay said he didn’t know the tenants personally as the rentals were handled by someone who worked with him. He said the main house had been rented for three years and a mobile home on the property for two years without incident.

The circumstances leading up to the killings remain under investigation. Detectives are seeking the public’s help in solving the murder. 

Anyone with information is encouraged to contact Investigator Victor Magana or Investigator Ryan Deanne at 951-955-2777 or by emailing vmmagana@riversidesheriff.org. The public can also submit information through the Sheriff’s Office online tip line.