[September 05, 2011] Detectives Search Irvine Business Following Murder of Laguna Beach Businessman Tweet Sep 04, 2011 (KTLA-TV - McClatchy-Tribune Information Services via COMTEX) -- IRVINE, Calif. -- A local business was searched Friday in connection with the murder of a Laguna Beach man who authorities believe was killed by his business partner. Orange County Sheriff's Department homicide investigators searched a business in the 18000 block of Sky Park Drive with a warrant around 11:15am Friday, according to reports, searching for evidence surrounding the death of 32-year old Internet executive Christopher Ryan Smith of Laguna. Edward Younghoon Shin, 33, was arrested last week at Los Angeles International Airport and charged with the killing of Smith, formerly his business partner. Shin, who was boarding a plane to Canada at the time of his arrest, is also believed to have hacked into Smith's email account, sending emails to friends and family members concerned about Smith's whereabouts. In the emails, Shin posed as Smith and told his loved ones that he was traveling in Africa. Authorities confirmed they also arrested 34-year-old Kenny Roy Kraft on suspicion of helping Shin get rid of Smith's property. Prosecutors allege that Shin killed Smith in the offices of their advertising agency in San Juan Capistrano in June 2010. Smith and Shin were co-owners of 800xchange. They worked together for two years before having a falling out in 2010, said Orange County Assistant Sheriff Mark Billings. Police say Smith and Shin had agreed on a financial settlement of $1 million in which Shin would buy out Smith. Instead, investigators say Shin killed Smith inside the business office. Crime scene investigators found traces of blood in the offices that they were able to match to Smith using DNA testing. Police say Shin admitted to killing Smith after a six-hour interview. Smith's body, however, has never been found. Smith's father first reported him missing in April 2010 in Laguna Beach when he hadn't heard from his son. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Orange County Sheriff's Department at 714-628-7170. ___ (c)2011 KTLA-TV (Los Angeles) Visit KTLA-TV (Los Angeles) at www.ktla.com Distributed by MCT Information Services [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ]