Authorities and family members report that an esteemed realtor lost his life while attempting to shield his young granddaughter from a nanny armed with a screwdriver, who subsequently tore off all her clothes.
David Ong, aged 83, met his tragic end at the home of his daughter, psychotherapist Katie Ong, valued at $513,000, in Royal Oak, Michigan, last Friday.
Samantha Rae Booth, 35, the nanny involved, has been detained and charged with the murder.
The chilling episode unfolded when Katie Ong requested her father to visit her home to check on her daughter’s well-being.
The toddler was under the care of Booth, who had been the child’s nanny for two years.
After losing contact with her father, Katie reached out to her brother-in-law, whose identity remains undisclosed, to investigate the situation further.
He found the front door of the house wide open, the Oakland Press reported, with noises coming from the basement.
Katie’s brother-in-law called out to Ong, but the elderly grandfather did not answer.
David Ong is pictured with his wife Jacqueline and the couple’s granddaughter. He died trying to protect the toddler from her nanny, police and relatives have said
Samantha Rae Booth is accused of murdering the grandfather of a three-year-old girl she was hired to care for
The brother-in-law then encountered Booth ‘in a manic state and covered with blood,’ with Ong lying on the basement floor fatally-wounded, police say.
Katie’s brother-in-law grabbed the little girl Booth was supposed to be caring for, only for Booth to attack him with a screwdriver, it is claimed.
Eventually, both managed to flee and call 911 from a neighboring property.
Cops called to the scene found that Booth had stripped her clothes off and was covered in blood, according to a police report.
She tried to run away but was caught shortly afterwards, it is claimed.
According to prosecutors, police found what they believe to be psychedelic mushrooms and marijuana in Booth’s purse.
Police said that Booth has no known criminal history and they have not commented on a possible motive for the horrific crime.
Ong’s other daughter Kelley Ong Smith paid tribute to her father’s heroism on Facebook.
The horrific murder unfolded inside Ong’s daughter’s $513,000 home in Royal Oak, seen here
Katie Ong, pictured, is the owner of the home where the stabbing happened and Ong’s daughter
Ong’s daughter Kelly Ong Smith shared a heartbreaking tribute to her father which hailed him as a hero
She wrote: ‘I have to share the saddest post I’ve ever written and I ask for your prayers.
‘My father, David Ong, died tragically on Friday evening while protecting his cherished 3 year old granddaughter.
‘The loss is immeasurable. Anyone who knows my dad knows that he is a gentle giant – a man of incredible kindness, love and faith. I’ve often said he is simply the best man I know.’
Booth is facing six felonies including, first degree murder, second degree child abuse, assault with a dangerous weapon and three counts of assaulting a police officer.
Booth was due to appear in court via Zoom on Tuesday, but the hearing was held in her absence after she stripped naked in her holding cell and refused to cooperate.
After a back-and-forth with the judge, prosecution and defense she agreed to hear her charges but still refused to show herself.
Her attorney pleaded not guilty on her behalf during the hearing, with the judge denying her bond, saying she posed a ‘danger to society’.
Ong is pictured with wife Jacqueline, his children and their partners in an undated photo
Booth, pictured after her arrest, was found to have drugs in her purse. She stripped naked to avoid coming to court on Tuesday
Ong was a grandfather of 11 who had enjoyed a lengthy career in real estate
The horrific incident bears some similarities to 1992 thriller The Hand that Rocks the Cradle in which an evil nanny tries to destroy a Seattle family (Rebecca DeMornay seen in still from movie)
According to Ong’s obituary he leaves behind his wife Jacqueline, was the father of four and grandfather to 11.
It added: ‘David’s life was defined by faith, humility and a gentle spirit. He was deeply caring, a true friend and a steady source of encouragement and support.
‘He took joy in understanding everything about his children and grandchildren. He loved sports and rarely missed a chance to cheer for his Wolverines, Lions and Tigers.
‘He enjoyed rides in his convertible, loved music and served as a mentor to his family and to many colleagues and employees.’
He had founded the commercial real estate consulting and development firm Acquest Realty Advisors which he led for 45 years, his obit added.
Booth is due to appear in court for a second time next week.
The incident bears some eerie similarities to the 1992 thriller The Hand That Rocks the Cradle.
That movie sees an evil nanny played by Rebecca DeMornay attempt to destroy a Seattle family to avenge her doctor husband’s suicide.
