Two men enter not guilty pleas in slaying of brothel boss

Two Las Vegas men have entered not guilty pleas to murder charges in the December slaying of their brothel-owner boss over a $9,000 debt.

Min Soon Chang, 30, and Keon Kyun Park, 19, entered their pleas Wednesday. They were indicted earlier this month on one count each of murder with use of a deadly weapon, armed robbery, first-degree kidnapping with use of a deadly weapon and two counts of conspiracy in the death of Young Park, 39. Keon Park is not related to the victim.

The woman’s body was discovered by hikers Dec. 23 near Kingman Wash, about a mile from the O’Callaghan-Tillman Memorial Bridge.

Authorities said the two men strangled and beat Young Park with a wrench and then burned her body on the Arizona side of the Hoover Dam. They allegedly tried burning the body first with lighter fluid and, when that didn’t work, they went back the next day and burned it using gasoline.

Authorities said Young Park ran an escort business and brothel out of a home near Rainbow Boulevard and Desert Inn Road. She owed Chang about $6,000 and Keon Park about $3,000. Chang was her driver. Keon Park booked appointments.

The defendants have confessed to their roles in the slaying, authorities said.

Keon Park and Chang are being held without bail at the Clark County Detention Center.