MARTINEZ, Calif. — A Walnut Creek man already facing double murder charges now confronts a third murder charge in connection with a separate shooting incident in San Gabriel. Prosecutors are arguing that the three killings stem from interconnected personal relationships and should be prosecuted together in Contra Costa County.
Howard Wang, 43, has been charged with the murder of Chengli Li, who was fatally shot on June 8, 2024, outside her apartment in San Gabriel. This case is now linked to the September 18, 2025, murders of Wang’s wife, Linlin Guo, and her mother, Beimin Cheng, in Walnut Creek. The new charge broadens the scope of the prosecution beyond a double homicide, introducing evidence of premeditation and complex relationships that spanned nearly two years.
According to authorities, Li, 41, was killed as part of a set plan devised by Wang and his alleged accomplice, Demarques James Pearl, 33. Prosecutors claim the two traveled from the Bay Area to Southern California the day before the shooting. Allegedly, Pearl pulled the trigger while Wang served as the getaway driver. The district attorney’s office reported that Li was romantically linked to Yan Wang, who is not related to Howard Wang but is involved in the case.
The Walnut Creek case took a tragic turn more than a year later when Wang allegedly murdered his wife and mother-in-law. Police found the two women dead in their home, where Wang reportedly attempted to make it appear as though an intruder was responsible. Emergency responders were alerted to a disturbance just before midnight on September 18 and discovered the victims inside the residence, while another adult and two children present were unharmed.
Evidence presented by prosecutors indicates a history of tension in Wang’s marriage. Court documents reveal that Wang allegedly threatened Guo a few weeks prior to the second murder and had been arrested on domestic violence charges in early January 2023. Although Wang filed for divorce later that month, he subsequently attempted to withdraw the filing. These details suggest a troubling pattern of behavior that may illuminate his motives surrounding the killings.
In addition to Howard Wang, Yan Wang, 45, of Oakland, has been charged with accessory after the fact, first-degree residential burglary, and misdemeanor destruction of evidence for allegedly aiding Howard in evading capture and tampering with potential evidence. Meanwhile, Pearl awaits arraignment on the murder charge linked to Li’s death. Prosecutors intend to consolidate the San Gabriel shooting with the Walnut Creek double homicide, asserting that the planning and execution of the crimes occurred in Contra Costa County.
The case has stirred strong emotions within the community, where a physical altercation reportedly broke out during a court hearing involving Yan Wang and family members of the victims. District Attorney Diana Becton has emphasized the broader implications of the case, highlighting how domestic violence affects families and communities. The high-profile nature of Guo’s killing is particularly poignant since she was a mother of twin daughters who witnessed the tragedies unfold.
As legal proceedings progress, Wang’s case has transitioned into the charging phase, with significant court dates approaching. Howard Wang is scheduled for a hearing on April 14, while Pearl’s arraignment is set for April 1. The courtroom sessions are expected to clarify the next steps in this complex and distressing criminal case.