Officials still seek answers in deaths

Marisa O’Neil

State investigators on Monday were expected to search the Los Angeles

offices of financial advisor Aaron Miles, who police say shot his

wife then himself in their home last week.

The investigation started about a month before 37-year-old Miles

and his new wife, 35-year-old Uyen Tran, were found dead in their

Lugonia Street home on Wednesday, said Debbie O’Donoghue, a

spokeswoman for the California Department of Corporations. Investors

in funds operated by Miles had called the department to complain when

he ignored requests to liquidate their assets, according to state

documents.

Now, those assets are frozen while the state investigates.

“We’re going to take possession of and review his books and

records to determine where things are,” O’Donoghue said. “Our

ultimate goal is to protect the investors and go in there and take a

look at what was going on.”

Through that investigation, they hope to determine how many

investors were involved with Miles, she said.

Miles was certified as an investment advisor in California in

October of 2001, according to state documents. In October 2004, the

California commissioner of corporations started receiving complaints

from investors who claimed Miles did not return their money when they

asked him to.

In November, Miles allegedly gave one investor a check for

$300,000, but it bounced, the documents said.

Newport Beach Police right now are focusing on the investigation

of the apparent murder-suicide, Sgt. Steve Shulman said. They have,

however, had inquiries from investors, he said.

“We have received calls from people who were concerned about the

status of his financial dealings,” Shulman said.

Miles and Tran, a mortgage broker, were married in a civil

ceremony in October, Shulman said. They were living in one apartment

of the West Newport duplex she owned.

The couple seemed to have lived a lavish lifestyle and drove

expensive cars, including a BMW and a Ferrari, neighbors said.

Then on Wednesday morning, Tran sent a text message to a family

member saying that if something happened to her, her husband was

responsible. The relative called police when she received the

message, and they went to the home to check on Tran.

There, they found the couple dead. Her 10-year-old son was not

home at the time, Shulman said.

Miles grew up in Texas and attended the U.S. Naval Academy. He

served as a captain in the Marines before starting his investment

business.

Friends and family of Miles are having a difficult time dealing

with his death and the circumstances behind it.

“He was a blessing to us,” his mother, Doris Miles, said. “He was

a gifted child, the apple of our eye. He is a child we will never

forget.”

* MARISA O’NEIL covers public safety and courts. She may be

reached at (714) 966-4618 or by e-mail at marisa.oneil@latimes.com.