Locals have recalled how a couple fed poverty-stricken customers for free at their burger restaurant before they were allegedly stabbed to death by their son.
Hoa Tek Chiem, 69, and Heang Kim Gau, 68, were found dead at Buzzy Bee’s Burger House in Cambridge Park, in Sydney’s far west, about 9.40am on November 30.
Police arrested their son, 31-year-old Allan Chiem, at a Canley Heights home the next day around 12:30 p.m. before he was charged with two counts of murder.
Hundreds of locals gathered at a candlelight vigil outside the couple’s restaurant this weekend to commemorate the generosity of the burger joint’s owners.
“I’ve seen people walk in there, and they have absolutely no money, and they’ll feed them,” Brian Donovan said. 7News.
Another said they were “helping everyone in the community” and that their deaths came as “a big shock.”
Other locals told the vigil they would “keep their memories going.”
Mr Chien and Ms Ga’s eldest son contacted police after stumbling upon the grim discovery of his parents’ bodies at the site.
Locals remember Hoa Tek Chiem, 69, (left) and Heang Kim Gau, 68, (right) as generous hamburger shop owners after they were allegedly murdered by their son on November 30.
Chiem will spend Christmas behind bars after he was refused bail by Parramatta Local Court on Sunday.
His case was adjourned to Penrith Local Court in January.
Chien’s lawyer Mohamed Sakr has asked corrective services to conduct a mental health assessment of his client before he appears in court again in the new year.
He later confirmed that his client had been filmed on the roof of the burger bar on Saturday.
“Every suspect deserves representation,” Sakr told Nine News.
The couple was known for their dedication to their business, which was open seven days a week.
It is understood that the couple made plans to retire shortly before their deaths.
Former employees of Buzzy Bee’s Burger House said the couple were more like family than bosses.
Hundreds of locals left flowers at the couple’s burger shop at a candlelight vigil (pictured) this weekend and remembered giving free food to poverty-stricken customers
Their 31-year-old son, Allan Chiem, was arrested early the next day and will spend Christmas behind bars after being accused of murdering them in their store (pictured)
Buzzy Bee’s Burger House was closed following the alleged attack, while flowers and cards piled up outside with messages honoring the hard-working couple.
“They’ve dedicated themselves to this place. I pray you both find peace,” one card read.
Owner of a nearby bakery Thanh Tran recalled seeing the couple’s family as officers cordoned off the store.
“Around 9.30am the eldest son visited the store and then the youngest came and the two hugged and cried for an hour,” Mr Tran said.
“The police gave them milk crates to sit on and they hugged each other and sat down and cried, and they looked so sad, it was so sad.
“And the police stood there and watched them (as they talked and cried).”