Oxygen’s The Death Investigator with Barbara Butcher delivered a heartbreaking case in its second episode, “Blood on the Eyes,” which aired October 4, 2025. The 2000 New York City investigation began with a body discovered in the East River and quickly escalated into a desperate search for missing family members that revealed a shocking domestic tragedy.
The Death Investigator Case Overview: The Leung Family Investigation
| Case Details | Information |
|---|---|
| Episode Title | Blood on the Eyes |
| Air Date | October 4, 2025 |
| Original Incident | 2000, New York City |
| Initial Discovery | Body found in East River near East 61st Street |
| First Victim Identified | Stephen Leung (father) |
| Additional Victims | Chilin Leung (mother) |
| Survivors | Teresa Leung (daughter who reported missing persons) |
| Perpetrators | Connie Leung (17) and Eric Louissant (20) |
| Convictions | Both pleaded guilty to second-degree murder |
| Sentences | 30 years each |
How the Investigation Unfolded
The case began when a man’s body was recovered from the East River, dressed in pajamas and showing clear signs of foul play. With no immediate identification, investigators faced a race against time to determine the victim’s identity and locate potential additional victims.
The Breakthrough: Teresa Leung arrived at the precinct to report her parents and sister missing. When shown photographs of the victim’s clothing, she recognized them immediately—the body was her father, Stephen Leung.
This identification transformed the investigation. If Stephen was dead, where were his wife Chilin and teenage daughter Connie? The search intensified as detectives feared the worst.
The Additional Victims: A Tragic Discovery
Initially, both Chilin and Connie were classified as missing persons, with authorities suspecting foul play had claimed multiple family members. The situation appeared dire until detectives located Connie alive at a YMCA.
The Shocking Truth: Connie was with her older boyfriend, Eric Louissant. She claimed they were staying at the YMCA because her parents disapproved of their relationship. However, interviews with the couple revealed a far more sinister story.
According to police statements and media reports at the time, Stephen was strangled after discovering Eric in Connie’s bedroom. Later that same night, Chilin was also killed. Both victims were strangled with belts, and the couple allegedly left the bodies in the bedroom for several days before disposal.
For more true crime investigations and forensic case studies, explore our crime documentary analysis at TechnoSports.
The Body Disposal Timeline
The investigation revealed disturbing details about how the perpetrators attempted to conceal their crimes:
Night 1 (approximately 3 AM): Stephen’s body was transported to the East River using a shopping cart, wrapped and still in sleepwear. This body was later recovered near East 61st Street, leading to the initial investigation.
Night 2: A second trip to the river occurred the following night with Chilin’s remains. Despite extensive search efforts, authorities were still looking for Chilin’s body in mid-November 2000, even as the homicide case progressed.
The timeline matched decomposition estimates provided by the medical examiner’s office, helping investigators piece together the sequence of events.
From Missing Persons to Murder Convictions
What began as a search for additional victims transformed into a double homicide prosecution. Both Connie, then 17, and Eric, 20, provided videotaped confessions to police.
Legal Outcome: Both defendants were charged with murder and eventually pleaded guilty to second-degree murder charges. Each received a 30-year prison sentence for their roles in the deaths of Stephen and Chilin Leung.
The case highlights how quickly missing persons investigations can evolve into homicide cases when family dynamics and relationships turn deadly.
Barbara Butcher’s Forensic Insights
Veteran death investigator Barbara Butcher brings decades of New York City medical examiner experience to the series, explaining the forensic science behind body identification, decomposition timelines, and evidence collection in water recovery cases.
Her expertise helps viewers understand the technical challenges investigators face when bodies are discovered in waterways, where evidence degradation accelerates and identification becomes exponentially more difficult.
According to Oxygen’s official programming, the network specializes in true crime content that combines investigative journalism with forensic science education.
For additional true crime series recommendations and episode guides, visit TechnoSports for comprehensive entertainment coverage.
Where to Watch
New Episodes: Saturdays at 9/8c on Oxygen
Episode 2 Reairs:
- Wednesday, October 15 at 1:00 AM ET
- Saturday, October 25 at 12:00 PM ET
Streaming Options: Full episodes available on the Oxygen app, Amazon Video, Apple TV, and Fandango At Home
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Who were the victims in The Death Investigator episode 2?
The victims were Stephen Leung and his wife Chilin Leung, both killed in 2000 by their teenage daughter Connie (17) and her boyfriend Eric Louissant (20). Stephen was discovered in the East River, while Chilin’s body was disposed of separately. Both victims were strangled with belts after Stephen discovered Eric in Connie’s room.
Q: What happened to Connie Leung and Eric Louissant after their arrests?
Both Connie Leung and Eric Louissant provided videotaped confessions to police and were charged with murder. They subsequently pleaded guilty to second-degree murder charges and each received 30-year prison sentences for killing Stephen and Chilin Leung in 2000. The case shifted from a missing persons investigation to a double homicide prosecution.
