A Tragic Night at an Eagan Hotel
What began as a late-night encounter in October 2023 ended in tragedy when 53-year-old Jianqin Zhang, a woman from China, was found dead inside a hotel room in Eagan, Minnesota. At approximately 11:59 p.m. on October 12, hotel staff discovered Zhang lying face down on the bed, unresponsive. First responders rushed to the scene but could only pronounce her dead.
The investigation quickly revealed chilling details. Authorities learned that 27-year-old Philip Jedidiah Wong had entered the hotel to meet Zhang for a massage, later paying for sexual services. According to Wong’s own statement, Zhang allegedly claimed their encounter had been secretly recorded and demanded more money. Wong admitted to “choking her out” before leaving, thinking she was still alive.
Justice in the Wake of a Horrific Crime
The Dakota County Attorney’s Office, led by Kathryn Keena, confirmed this week that Wong has been sentenced to 240 months (20 years) in prison for Zhang’s murder. He will receive credit for 658 days already served in custody.
An autopsy later determined the official cause of death to be strangulation, making the incident a clear case of homicide. For Zhang’s family, who live thousands of miles away in China, the verdict brings a measure of justice but no true comfort. The pain of losing her so violently and far from home is a wound that will never fully heal.
Remembering Jianqin Zhang
Beyond the details of the crime, Jianqin Zhang was a human being—a daughter, a friend, and someone whose life had value and meaning. She came to the U.S. seeking opportunity, but her journey ended in the most tragic way possible. Those who knew her remember her as warm and hardworking, someone who sought connection and dignity in her life.
Her story is a sobering reminder of the dangers faced by vulnerable individuals, particularly women working in isolated or stigmatized circumstances. It also underscores the urgent need for better protections, outreach, and resources to prevent such tragedies.
Now, with Wong behind bars, the community is left to honor Zhang’s life and reflect on the lessons her death leaves behind. In Eagan, as in her hometown in China, her name will be remembered—not for the violent way she died, but for the life she lived and the light she once brought to the world.
