Tuen Kit Lee, also known as the “bad breath rapist,” has been apprehended in the San Francisco Bay Area more than 16 years after he fled following his conviction for sexually assaulting a coworker in Massachusetts. Lee was convicted in 2007 for the kidnapping and rape of a young woman at knifepoint in Quincy, south of Boston, but fled before his sentencing. Authorities kept the case alive in the media, with Lee’s photo appearing on “America’s Most Wanted.” After spotting images of a man believed to be Lee on social media, investigators were able to track him to California’s Contra Costa County, where he was arrested by U.S. Marshals and police officers. Despite initially providing a false name, Lee confessed to his true identity when pressed and was later identified via fingerprints.
According to a statement from the Massachusetts State Police, Lee broke into the victim’s home in Massachusetts on February 2, 2005, and raped her. He was later identified through DNA evidence and his distinctive bad breath, which earned him the nickname of the “bad breath rapist.” Police in California are currently holding Lee, pending his expected transfer to Massachusetts. It is unclear if Lee has retained an attorney to comment on his case. In a surprising twist, Lee’s female companion, with whom he had been together for 15 years in California, reportedly had no knowledge of his true identity.
The arrest of Tuen Kit Lee, also known as the “bad breath rapist,” marks a significant breakthrough in a case that has been unresolved for over a decade. Lee, who was convicted in 2007 for the kidnapping and rape of a coworker in Massachusetts, had been on the run since before his sentencing. Despite efforts to track him down over the years, it was not until images of a man believed to be Lee surfaced on social media that investigators were able to locate him in California’s Contra Costa County. The arrest was made by U.S. Marshals and local police officers after Lee was seen leaving a residence near Danville, just east of Oakland.
The Massachusetts State Police released a statement detailing the horrific crime committed by Lee, who broke into the victim’s home in Massachusetts in 2005 and raped her at knifepoint. Through DNA evidence and his distinctive bad breath, Lee was identified as the perpetrator, leading to his conviction. Lee’s arrest in California has brought closure to the victim and law enforcement officials who have been tirelessly pursuing justice in this case. Lee’s unexpected confession of his true identity after providing a false name highlights the complexity of the case and the extent to which he had evaded capture for so many years.
As Lee awaits his transfer back to Massachusetts to face sentencing for his crimes, questions remain about how he was able to evade capture for so long and maintain a relationship with his female companion without revealing his true identity. The shocking nature of the case, coupled with the unusual circumstances of Lee’s arrest, has captured public attention and raised concerns about the effectiveness of law enforcement efforts to track down fugitives. The persistence of investigators and the collaboration between multiple agencies ultimately led to Lee’s capture, highlighting the importance of continued vigilance in pursuing justice for victims of violent crimes. Despite the passage of time, the arrest of the “bad breath rapist” serves as a reminder that law enforcement will not rest until perpetrators are held accountable for their actions.
