Santa Barbara, CA — What began as concern over a missed meeting turned into tragedy when the bodies of Dr. Henry Han, his wife Jennie Yu, and their 5-year-old daughter Emily were discovered dead in their home garage. The case, described by prosecutors as one of the most shocking family murders in Santa Barbara’s history, has left friends and colleagues heartbroken and searching for answers.
A Family Admired by All
On March 23, 2016, Mark and Marla Palumbo grew worried when Dr. Han didn’t show up for a business meeting. The following day, their worst fears came true.
“I was in the kitchen on my computer and I kept checking … and I just remember screaming, ‘they’re all dead,’” recalled Marla Palumbo, describing the moment she saw the news.
Dr. Han, a respected herbal medicine practitioner, had recently gone into business with the Palumbos.
“I really loved the guy,” said Mark Palumbo. “He really was smart and curious and open-minded.”
Friends described Henry and Jennie as warm, humble people devoted to their daughter.
“Jennie was absolutely warm and lovely,” Marla said. “And you could tell Emily was loving life.”
From Success to Tragedy
Dr. Han had built a strong reputation after emigrating from China, taking over the Santa Barbara Herb Clinic and helping patients through holistic and Eastern medicine. Dr. Glenn Miller, a psychiatrist and longtime collaborator, recalled how Henry’s work impressed many in the medical community.
“Henry’s practice was flourishing,” Miller said. “He would see hundreds of patients each month and still tried to balance his life.”
Henry met Jennie Yu in 2009, and together they shared their dream life with young Emily. Friends said the family was planning Emily’s sixth birthday party just days before their deaths.
“We were making plans for her birthday party and had all her presents wrapped,” said Isaiah Oregon, a friend of the family.
The Grisly Discovery
It was Don Goldberg, a friend who had known Han for 25 years, who called 911 after failing to reach the family. When deputies arrived, they found a horrifying scene.
“None of it made any sense at all,” Goldberg said. “The sadness is too deep.”
The bodies of Henry, Jennie, and Emily were discovered wrapped in plastic in the garage. Investigators said the victims had been shot while sleeping — Henry in the master bedroom and Jennie and Emily together in Emily’s room.
Prosecutor Ben Ladinig described the crime scene as one of the most disturbing he’d ever seen.
“Emily’s room was tough to see,” Ladinig said. “Mom probably read her stories to have Emily go to sleep that night and was sleeping with her.”
Evidence and Cleanup Attempts
Investigators found several indications that the killer had tried to cover up the crime.
“The smell of bleach was there,” Ladinig said. “We had bleach bottles, stains on the carpet, and bloody items in the washing machine.”
All the bedding had been stripped from the beds and piled in the laundry room. Inside the unbalanced washing machine load, detectives discovered bloody sheets, bullet fragments, and a .22-caliber bullet.
Forensic teams later found three shell casings wrapped with Jennie’s body and another lodged near Emily’s bed, offering crucial evidence for identifying the murder weapon, according to Yahoo News.
“We had one bullet that was a through and through,” Ladinig added. “It was perfect for comparison for the murder weapon.”
A Crime That Shattered a Community
The Han family’s murder sent shockwaves through Santa Barbara’s close-knit community. Friends, patients, and business partners mourned the loss of a healer, a mother, and a joyful little girl.
“You just don’t come across a friend like Henry,” said Don Goldberg. “It’s once in a lifetime.”
Authorities continue to piece together the evidence, with prosecutors calling the case a “depraved act beyond comprehension.”
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