Bay Area Home Where Google Engineer Murdered His Wife Sells for a Staggering $2.1 Million—Despite Horrifying History

A Bay Area home with a sinister history has sold for a jaw-dropping $2.1 million—just months after it became the site of a horrifying murder.

In a clear indication of just how low housing inventory in this area has become (while prices continue to soar), the property seemed to have no issue finding a buyer willing to fork out the full asking price, despite the place being wrapped up in such a gruesome crime.

Back in January, the former homeowner, Google software engineer Liren Chen, reportedly beat his wife, Xuanyi Yu, to death inside the dwelling.

Yu’s body was discovered by a family friend, who later told authorities he had grown concerned about a “noticeable change in Chen’s demeanor” while eating dinner at their home the previous night.

After authorities arrived at the scene, Chen was arrested and later charged with his wife’s murder. Court documents indicate he confessed to the crime when speaking to fire department personnel, DailyMail.com reported.

Chen and Yu had only recently purchased the four-bedroom Santa Clara, CA, home at the time of the vicious killing, paying $2,048,800 for the property in April 2023.

And yet, when the house went back up for sale in May, it took just nine days for an offer to emerge. A deal closed in August at the home’s asking price of $2,120,000.

Buyer beware? Not with the flowery language in the listing, which doesn’t mention a word about the murder within.

“Move-in ready and ideally located in the heart of Santa Clara, this home is conveniently close to everything. Cycle to Apple Park in minutes! The charming exterior, complete with a fairy tale-esque high-pitched roof, invites you into this luminous residence.”

Still, the recent sale is good news—both for the families affected by the crime and their neighbors.

Listing agent Sylvia Tian says that by selling, the relatives can recoup some money. Plus, a previously empty house is now filled—the home had already been burgled twice in its unoccupied state.

Gleaming wood floors and a painted-brick fireplace help to gloss over the home’s past. There’s a large chef’s kitchen with luxe appliances, including a new refrigerator and range hood, plus lots of counter space.

Along with the formal living room, there’s a family room with built-in speakers. The bathrooms are attractive, and one even sports playful terrazzo-style tile in the shower.

Upgrades include automated lights and WiFi-enabled switches. Fresh coats of paint have been applied inside and out, and there’s new carpet on the stairs.

Every last trace of the crime scene is gone, and the new owners—who’ve asked not to be named, Tian says—can rest easy here.