The Shocking True Story Of Ed Shin: 5 Diabolical Ways He Covered Up His Partner's Murder For Financial Gain

The case of Edward Younghoon Shin remains one of Orange County's most chilling examples of greed-fueled homicide, a story that continues to captivate true-crime audiences even today in late 2025. The former Irvine businessman is currently serving a life sentence for the brutal 2010 murder of his business partner, Christopher Ryan Smith, a crime meticulously planned and followed by a diabolical, months-long cover-up attempt. Shin's conviction and life sentence without the possibility of parole (LWOP) brought a close to a decade-long saga that featured a missing person, a trail of fraudulent emails, and a desperate effort to steal a fortune. The enduring interest in Ed Shin stems from the sheer audacity of his actions. His story is a cautionary tale of how financial desperation and a lack of moral compass can lead a seemingly successful executive down a dark path of murder and deception. The details of the investigation, the trial, and the ultimate justice served are a testament to the relentless work of law enforcement and the Orange County District Attorney's office.

Edward Younghoon Shin: A Biographical Profile

Edward "Ed" Younghoon Shin was not born into a life of crime. He was a businessman who co-founded a successful lead generation company in Orange County. His life, however, took a fatal turn driven by financial desperation and an overwhelming desire for wealth.

• Full Name: Edward Younghoon Shin
• Age at Time of Crime: 33 years old (in 2010)
• Residence: Irvine, California
• Profession: Businessman, Co-founder and Managing Partner of 800xchange
• Victim: Christopher Ryan Smith (Chris Smith), his business partner, 33 years old
• Crime: First-Degree Murder with a sentencing enhancement for murder for financial gain
• Crime Date: June 4, 2010
• Arrest Date: November 2011
• Conviction Date: December 2018
• Sentencing Date: July 26, 2019
• Sentence: Life without the possibility of parole (LWOP)
• Current Incarceration: California State Prison, Solano

The Fatal Business Venture: 800xchange and Financial Desperation

Shin and his partner, Chris Smith, were co-founders of a successful lead generation business named 800xchange, operating out of an office in San Juan Capistrano, Orange County. The initial success of the venture, however, masked a deeper financial turmoil for Ed Shin. While Smith was the tech entrepreneur and the face of the company's innovation, Shin was reportedly dealing with significant personal debt and financial stress.

The motive for the murder was cold and clear: financial gain. Prosecutor Matt Murphy, a Senior Deputy District Attorney for Orange County, argued during the trial that Chris Smith had created a "big problem" for Ed Shin. Smith was allegedly preparing to expose Shin's financial misconduct, which would have led to his ruin. To prevent this, Shin decided to eliminate his partner and seize control of the company's assets and bank accounts.

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On June 4, 2010, the murder took place in their shared San Juan Capistrano office. While the victim's body was never found, the key evidence was overwhelming. Investigators discovered Chris Smith's blood on the office walls, ceiling, and desk, indicating a violent and brutal attack. Shin then embarked on a calculated, elaborate scheme to cover up the homicide and profit from his partner's disappearance.

5 Diabolical Tactics of Ed Shin’s Cover-Up

The investigation into Chris Smith's sudden disappearance was complicated by Ed Shin's sophisticated and sustained efforts to make it appear as though Smith was alive and had simply abandoned his life. This deception, which lasted for months, is what makes the case so notorious and a frequent subject on shows like NBC's Dateline: In a Lonely Place and Dateline: Unforgettable.

1. The Impersonation Email Campaign

For months after the murder, Shin sent emails to Smith's family, friends, and business associates, all while impersonating Chris Smith. These emails claimed Smith was alive, traveling, and dealing with personal issues, which explained his sudden lack of communication. This tactic was designed to delay the missing person report and give Shin time to liquidate assets. The emails were a crucial piece of evidence, as they contained subtle inconsistencies and digital footprints that eventually pointed back to Shin.

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2. Draining the Victim’s Bank Accounts

The financial motive was the driving force behind the crime. After the murder, Shin began systematically draining Smith's bank accounts, transferring funds, and using his credit cards. This activity, which was meant to look like Smith was spending money on his supposed travels, was actually Shin's way of stealing the substantial wealth generated by their successful business, 800xchange. The money trail became a critical component of the prosecution's case, establishing the "murder for financial gain" enhancement.

3. Painting Over the Blood Evidence

In a desperate attempt to clean up the crime scene, Shin painted over the areas in the San Juan Capistrano office where Smith's blood had splattered. Despite this effort, forensic investigators were able to find traces of blood on the walls, ceiling, and desk. This physical evidence, along with the digital evidence, was instrumental in securing the conviction.

4. Disposing of Chris Smith's Vehicle

To further the illusion that Smith had left town voluntarily, Shin disposed of Smith's vehicle. The car was a key piece of personal property that, if found at the office or Smith's home, would have immediately raised suspicion. By removing the vehicle, Shin hoped to suggest his partner had driven off to a new life, making the disappearance look like an abandonment rather than a homicide.

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5. Fabricating a Drug Overdose Defense at Trial

Even after his arrest in November 2011, Shin continued his deception. During the trial, his defense team attempted to claim that Chris Smith had died of an accidental drug overdose in the office. This narrative was an attempt to mitigate the first-degree murder charge and shift the blame away from a premeditated, financially motivated killing. However, the overwhelming evidence of the cover-up, the blood splatter, and the motive convinced the jury of Shin's guilt.

Justice Served: The Conviction and Life Sentence

The trial of Edward Younghoon Shin finally commenced in late 2018, seven years after his arrest. The jury heard testimony detailing the meticulous investigation, which included digital forensics, financial records, and the powerful evidence of blood found in the office. The prosecution, led by Deputy District Attorney Matt Murphy, successfully painted a picture of a man driven by greed to commit the ultimate betrayal against his business partner.

In December 2018, an Orange County jury convicted Shin of first-degree murder, along with the special circumstance of murder for financial gain. On July 26, 2019, Shin was sentenced to life in state prison without the possibility of parole. This sentence ensures that the former Irvine executive will spend the rest of his life incarcerated, currently at California State Prison, Solano.

The case of Ed Shin serves as a dark reminder of the lengths to which some will go for wealth. The tireless efforts of the Orange County Sheriff's Department and the District Attorney's office in piecing together the complex web of lies and financial fraud ultimately brought justice for Christopher Ryan Smith and his family. The story continues to be a point of discussion in true-crime circles, highlighting the shocking reality that sometimes, the most dangerous people are those closest to you in business.