Hai Van Nguyen Guilty: Stabbed Wife Hien Thi Vu in Lewisham

Key Points

• Hai Van Nguyen, 42, found guilty of murdering his wife Hien Thi Vu, 45, a mother of three, by stabbing her multiple times (over five or seven wounds reported) with a kitchen knife while she slept at their home in Hatfield Close, Lewisham (also reported as New Cross Gate), south-east London, on 13 April 2025.​
• Nguyen admitted manslaughter but denied murder; convicted at Woolwich Crown Court following a week-long trial, with sentencing on 19 December 2025 to life imprisonment with a minimum term of 19 years.​
• Motive stemmed from jealousy; Nguyen suspected infidelity, demanded wife show TfL app to track movements hours before attack, claimed he was “controlled by the devil,” “lost control,” and referenced a head injury from a motorcycle accident 25 years prior.​
• Attack occurred around 6:00 AM BST; Nguyen walked into Lewisham Police Station confessing, arrested same day, charged next day; police found Hien in bedroom with fatal stab wound causing significant blood loss, bloody knife on bedside drawer.​
• Detective Inspector Stephanie Dexter described Nguyen as a “jealous man” who attacked in the “safest place,” offered condolences to three children, emphasised police commitment to tackling violence against women and girls.​

Who Was Hai Van Nguyen and What Led to the Attack?

Hai Van Nguyen, 42, required a Vietnamese interpreter during the week-long trial at Woolwich Crown Court. As reported by BBC News, Nguyen told the court he had grown increasingly jealous in the months leading up to the incident, convinced his wife had a “boyfriend” and was unfaithful. In the hours before the fatal attack, he forced Hien to access the TfL app to verify her movements, escalating his suspicions.​

Speaking of his actions in court, Nguyen claimed he had been “controlled by the devil” and had “lost control”. He further referenced a head injury sustained from a motorcycle accident 25 years prior, suggesting it influenced his state of mind. Coverage from the Evening Standard notes that Nguyen admitted manslaughter, acknowledging the act but contesting the intent required for murder.​

What Happened on the Morning of 13 April?

The prosecution outlined a precise timeline at Woolwich Crown Court. Around 6:00 AM BST on 13 April 2025, Nguyen stabbed Hien multiple times—more than five, specifically seven wounds as per police findings—while she lay sleeping in their bedroom. As detailed in Southwark News, one wound caused significant blood loss, directly leading to her death.​

Officers from the Metropolitan Police, responding to Nguyen’s confession at Lewisham Police Station, arrived at Hatfield Close and discovered Hien in her bedroom. A bloody kitchen knife was found on her bedside drawer, corroborating the method of attack. Nguyen departed the house post-attack and presented himself at the station, where he was apprehended later that day.​

How Did Police Respond and What Did They Find?

The Metropolitan Police launched an investigation immediately after Nguyen’s self-surrender. As reported by the Evening Standard’s crime desk, officers visited the property and confirmed Hien’s death from the stab wounds. He was arrested on the spot and formally charged the following day.​

Detective Inspector Stephanie Dexter, who led the investigation, provided key statements. In coverage by the Evening Standard, she said:

“Nguyen was a jealous man who carried out a brutal attack on his wife in their own home, the place she should have been safest.”.

She added:

“Our thoughts remain with the couple’s three children who are grieving the loss of their mother”.​

Ms Dexter further emphasised police resolve, stating:

“Our commitment to tackling violence against women and girls is unwavering and we would encourage victims to reach out to police or other support agencies to seek help. We will respond with sensitivity, and we will work with you to provide the appropriate support, whilst keeping you safe and dealing robustly with the perpetrator”.

Southwark News echoed this, quoting her:

“This is a tragic case and our thoughts remain with the couple’s three children who are grieving for the sudden loss of their mother”.​

What Was the Court Verdict and Sentencing Outcome?

Nguyen denied murder despite admitting manslaughter, leading to a full trial at Woolwich Crown Court. On 15 December 2025, jurors found him guilty of murder after hearing evidence of his jealousy-driven rage. Sentencing was scheduled for Friday, 19 December 2025, as noted in initial Evening Standard reporting.​

Subsequent BBC coverage confirmed the outcome: Nguyen received a life sentence with a minimum term of 19 years for the murder of Hien, described as a mother-of-three repeatedly stabbed by her jealous husband. Yahoo News aligned with this, reiterating the guilty verdict post-trial.​

Who Was Hien Thi Vu and What Impact Has This Had on Her Family?

Hien Thi Vu, 45 (also reported as 44 in some accounts), was a mother of three living with Nguyen in their Hatfield Close home. The couple resided together with their children, whose lives were shattered by the events of 13 April.​

Across reports, the focus remains on the profound loss to the family. Detective Inspector Stephanie Dexter repeatedly extended condolences, noting the children’s grief in statements to the Evening Standard and Southwark News. BBC accounts highlight Hien as a devoted mother attacked in her sleep, underscoring the betrayal of trust in her own home.​

Why Did Nguyen Claim He Was Controlled by the Devil?

Nguyen’s defence centred on a loss of control amid paranoia. As covered by BBC News, he explicitly told the court: he had been “controlled by the devil”. This echoed in his admission of having “lost control,” tied to suspicions of infidelity.​

The 25-year-old head injury from a motorcycle accident was cited by Nguyen as a contributing factor, per Yahoo and BBC reports. Despite these claims, the jury rejected the manslaughter plea, convicting on murder.​

What Broader Issues Does This Case Highlight?

This tragedy spotlights domestic violence fuelled by jealousy. Detective Inspector Dexter’s statements underscore systemic responses to violence against women. The case’s publicity across BBC, Evening Standard, and local outlets like Southwark News amplifies calls for support services.​

Police emphasis on sensitivity and robust action against perpetrators reflects ongoing UK efforts, as Nguyen’s conviction demonstrates judicial finality. The family’s enduring loss remains a poignant reminder of intimate partner violence’s devastation.