2014-11-21

Son of fugitive speaking out after dad is extradited from Mexico for 1996 murder in Amarillo

Ngoc Van Tran, 1996

Ngoc Van Tran, 2014

Ngoc Van Tran and Deanna Packer Tran with the couple's kids.

Mildred Deanna Packer Tran

Crime Scene, October 1996

AMARILLO - 21 year old Shane Packer says he is still processing everything, after he found out his dad, 44 year old Ngoc Van Tran is being extradited back to the U.S. after 18 years.

Texas DPS Trooper Chris Ray confirms that Tran, is under arrest in Amarillo and charged for murdering his wife, Deanna Packer Tran. Shane Packer was only 3 when his mom died. Although he doesn't remember everything from that night, he told us he believes his dad was not involved in her death. Tran described his father as a "good guy" and says he plans on contacting him while he is in the Potter County Jail. Packer currently is living in Austin with his paternal uncle.

In October of 1996, the body of Deanna Packer Tran was found in the trunk of a car. An autopsy on the body showed Packer Tran died from a gunshot blast to the head. The mother of three had been missing for a month prior to her body being found.

U.S. Supervisory Deputy U.S. Marshal Garry Brewer says Tran fled to Mexico after shooting Packer Tran. He says Tran was involved in a broad drug-trafficking operation and drug traffickers in Mexico helped hide Tran.

According to the Associated Press, Tran was arrested two years ago in Mexico and was extradited back to Texas on Thursday. Tran fought extradition by claiming he married a woman in Mexico. He is being held without bond in the Potter County Corrections Center.

Prior to the alleged murder, Tran had an extensive criminal history including Larceny, Possession of Stolen Property, Burglary, Unlawfully Carrying a Weapon, Possession of Controlled Substance among others.

In 1989, Tran delivered cocaine to an undercover officer in exchange for weapons. Two months later, he was arrested in Amarillo for burglarizing a private residence. He served time in Texas Department of Criminal Justice before being paroled in 1992. In 1996, he was charged with Evading Arrest with the Use of a Vehicle, Unlawfully Carrying a Weapon, and Assault Causing Bodily Injury.

The search for Tran was a largely-publicized manhunt. Tran was listed as one of Texas' Ten Most Wanted Fugitives. Tran's case was also featured on episodes of "America's Most Wanted" and "Unsolved Mysteries."

Texas DPS was offering a $5,000 reward for Tran's arrest.