Son to Face Charges of Killing Mother at Hacienda Heights Home

A man was charged today with murdering his 63-year-old mother, who was found dead in the trunk of her Mercedes-Benz in Hacienda Heights.

Clifton Huang, 43, is scheduled to be arraigned Sept. 24 in Pomona Superior Court in connection with the slaying of Vilma Chau.

The body of the woman -- with her hands and feet bound -- was found about 9:40 a.m. last Thursday inside the trunk of her car, which was parked inside the garage of her home in the 15000 block of Las Tunas Drive.

"Family members had not heard from the victim for a few days so (they) decided to check on her," sheriff's Deputy Peter Gomez said earlier. "When they arrived, they noticed a strong odor emanating from the garage area, at which time Industry sheriff's station deputies were called to investigate."

Huang, who was at the home when deputies arrived, was booked late Thursday on suspicion of murder.

The criminal complaint alleges that Huang has five prior felony convictions between 2003 and 2011 for offenses including unlawful driving or taking of a vehicle, possession of a controlled substance and dissuading a witness from reporting a crime.

Huang's bail was set at $1.05 million. He faces up to 50 years to life in state prison if convicted, according to the District Attorney's Office.