In a dramatic conclusion to a 16-year manhunt, authorities have captured the fugitive known as the “Bad Breath Rapist” in the San Francisco Bay Area.
Tuen Kit Lee, convicted in 2007 for the brutal kidnapping and rape of a coworker in Massachusetts, was apprehended earlier this week after years on the run.
Lee, who fled before his sentencing, remained at large despite numerous efforts by law enforcement. His case was featured multiple times on the popular TV show “America’s Most Wanted,” keeping the hunt for him alive in the public eye.
Recently, investigators got a break when images of a man resembling Lee emerged on social media, leading them to Contra Costa County in California.
Bad Breath Rapist captured
The U.S. Marshals Service, in collaboration with local police, arrested Lee on Tuesday. He was seen leaving a “multi-million-dollar residence” near Danville, east of Oakland. After initially providing a false name, Lee confessed under pressure and was later confirmed through fingerprint analysis.
The details of Lee’s horrific crime are chilling. On February 2, 2005, he broke into his victim’s home in Quincy, Massachusetts, and assaulted her at knifepoint. His distinctive, foul breath during the attack led to his grim moniker, “The Bad Breath Rapist.” DNA evidence eventually confirmed his identity, securing his conviction.
According to state police, his female companion, after 15 years together in California, never knew his true identity.
“The unwavering dedication of law enforcement to locate and arrest him will hopefully bring peace of mind to the victim and her family,” said Chief Inspector Sean LoPiccolo, acting commander of the U.S. Marshals Service Pacific Southwest Regional Fugitive Task Force.
Lee is currently in police custody in California, awaiting transfer to Massachusetts where he will finally face sentencing.
This arrest brings a measure of closure to a case that has haunted both the victim and the law enforcement officers dedicated to bringing Lee to justice.
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