Girl's family knew man accused of killing her; suspect's family denies his guilt

SOUTH SALT LAKE — They all lived for years in separate refugee camps in Thailand before finally getting the opportunity to come to America to start new, and hopefully better, lives.

Now, one family is mourning over the loss of their young daughter while another family does not believe their son, who is sitting in a jail cell, is responsible for her death.

On Wednesday, the father of a 7-year girl kidnapped and killed this week tearfully thanked those who spent so much time looking for his missing daughter. Walking out of their apartment with their arms around each other, a solemn Cartoon Wah and his two oldest sons thanked the community and police for their support and efforts to find his daughter.

"We ask the Lord will be with us to lift us through this difficult trial in our lives," Wah said.

Wah's only daughter, Hser Nay Moo, was kidnapped Monday afternoon while she was playing in front of her apartment. Her body was found in a nearby apartment in the same complex where several men, also refugees from Myanmar, formerly known as Burma, were living.

Esar Met, 21, was arrested for investigation of aggravated murder and kidnapping.

Several Cambodian and Thai refugees live in the South Parc apartment complex, 2250 S. 500 East. Met's parents live directly across from the Wah family. Met lived in a different apartment in the same complex with several single men.

"I have no comment about this," Wah said through an interpreter about the man accused of killing his daughter. "He has nothing to do with me. I will let police deal with it."

Ra He Mar, Met's mother, speaking through in interpreter, said her son had never been in trouble before and she did not believe he was responsible for Met's abduction or death.

"I don't believe my son did anything wrong," she said.

Neighbors say members of the Wah family knew Met. Wah's sons would play soccer with other friends from the complex at a nearby park. On at least one occasion, Met came to watch, according to one neighbor.

Pearlie Wah, Moo's mother, was said to be not well enough to face the media and remained in her apartment Wednesday. A trust fund has been set up at Zions Bank for Moo's family under the names Cartoon and Pearlie Wah.

A funeral for Hser Nay Moo will be held Monday at 11 a.m. at the Haven LDS Stake Center, near 2280 S. and 300 East, the same building that served as a command post for volunteer searchers.