Wild backstory behind kidnapping-execution that rocked California as family and friends speak out

The accused killer and victim in a kidnapping and execution that rocked California were once close friends and had known each other for decades, friends and family have revealed.Shukur Aikebaer, 60, and Zhengfeng Bo, 67, had known each other for about 20 years after meeting in China, friends told the LA Times.Their relationship eventually brought them to Southern California, where both built quiet lives — until authorities say Bo kidnapped Aikebaer from his Chino Hills home on July 29 and fatally shot him.The men’s families had once been close, Tony Lu, a neighbor and friend of Bo, said.“There were no controversies,” Lu said.

“No disputes.”Bo met Aikebaer while overseeing a public works project in China’s Xinjiang region, Lu said.Aikebaer was then a local bureaucrat.

Bo eventually hired him as an assistant, and Aikebaer helped identify investment opportunities.California's top news, sports and entertainment delivered to your inbox every day.

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Never miss a story Bo’s nephew, who was not identified by his name, told the outlet his uncle had known Aikebaer for 20 years and called him his “brother.”The pair’s friendship survived their move to America.Bo came to the US in 2019 so his children could attend American schools, according to Lu.He had made a fortune through construction and investments and once told Lu his assets were worth about $20 million.Yet he lived relatively simply, spending much of his time gardening and searching for real estate deals.

“He built that project from dirt,” Lu said, describing Bo’s business career.Lu said he once urged Bo to stop working.“I told him, ‘You’ve gained enough wealth.

You have a good family, a good house.Why don’t you retire?’” Lu recalled.But Bo remained focused on business.That became a problem with a Pasadena apartment developme...