Grace Chen’s Unsolved Murder 10 Years Later: A Community Still Seeking Answers
Nearly ten years ago, the beloved Austin teacher and mother, Xiaojia “Grace” Chen, was found dead in a locked private bathroom of her teaching studio in the Galleria Oaks shopping center in Northwest Austin. The Austin police determined the cause of death was homicide, and yet a decade later, her killing remains unsolved, leaving her family and the Austin Asian American community continually searching for closure.
Grace Chen: Teacher, Mother, Community Figure
Born in 1967 in Chaozhou, a city in Southeast China, Grace Chen led a life dedicated to education and cultural exchange. As a single mother, she managed a fine balance between raising her son, Jacky Chen, and teaching Japanese to college students. After moving to America in 2007, she founded the Grace Language and Cultural Institute in Austin where she taught Chinese language, culture, and calligraphy. Grace Chen’s dedication to cultural education made her a cherished figure in the Austin’s Asian American community.
Sudden Loss and a Community in Shock
On Feb. 19, 2014, the news of Grace Chen’s death sent shockwaves through the Austin community, particularly within the Asian American community due to the randomness of the crime. This sparked concerns at the time that her killing could be racially motivated. Although the police later asserted that race was not believed to be the motive, the mystery surrounding her murder persisted.
Grace Chen’s Legacy Remembered
Even ten years after her brutal murder, members of the community continue to remember Grace Chen fondly. Amy Wong Mok, the CEO and founder of the Austin Asian American Cultural Center, still reaches out to the police chief and city leaders each year, hoping for any updates. “The violent crime against Grace is never going to leave us until we get closure. It’s still an open wound for Jacky and our community,” Wong Mok remarked.
A Son’s Ongoing Pain and Hope for Justice
For Jacky Chen, Grace Chen’s son, the pain of losing his mother in such a brutal manner continues to linger. Fearful of losing precious memories, he stated, “More than anything, I miss her voice.” Talking about the void in his life since her murder, Jacky Chen added, “I’m not sad all the time. But every time when I think of this, it feels like I’m dragged back to the moment right when I found out that she was murdered because there’s…no justice.”
A Plea for Information
With many leads over the decade yielding no arrests, police remain hopeful for a break in the case. Whether that comes through a confession or an advancement in technology that could help close the case remains to be seen. Austin police encourage anyone with information about Grace Chen’s murder to submit an anonymous tip by calling 512-472-TIPS or by visiting austincrimestoppers.org. The hope is that with community support, closure might finally be attained for Jacky and the Austin community that continues to mourn the loss of a beloved teacher and friend.
