PHOTO: Real estate agent Yanfei Bao has been reported missing in Christchurch.
Updated: 8am Friday 21 July, 2023
Concerns for Missing Christchurch Real Estate Agent
A Friend’s Terrifying Concerns
A friend of a Christchurch real estate agent missing for more than 24 hours says she’s terrified for her friend’s safety. Yanfei Bao was last seen in the Wigram area about 10.30 am on Wednesday.
More than 20 detectives form a large team working diligently to unravel the enigma surrounding the sudden disappearance of a real estate agent in Christchurch over 24 hours ago.
The missing individual is Yanfei Bao, aged 44, who was last sighted in the Wigram area around 10.30 am on Wednesday.
Detective Inspector Nicola Reeves revealed that Bao went missing during her routine cold-calling activities as part of her job. Her last known interaction was with someone she spoke to while approaching their property on Vickerys Rd, near the intersection of Hayton Rd.
Worryingly, Bao’s failure to return home after work triggered an alarm, prompting authorities to initiate a search. Detective Inspector Nicola Reeves expressed concern over the mysterious circumstances of her disappearance, emphasizing that such events are uncommon and leave many unanswered questions.
The Christchurch community remains deeply concerned as there is still no sign of Yanfei Bao, a mother and dedicated real estate consultant, who went missing two days ago while cold calling for clients. The police spokesperson confirmed that despite enduring a cold night with temperatures as low as 3C, she has not been located yet.
Apprehension intensified when Bao failed to pick up her daughter from school on Wednesday afternoon. Subsequently, the police initiated an active search in the Wigram area, where she was last seen. Her partner, Paul Gooch, visibly distressed, refrained from commenting at his Avonhead home, surrounded by friends. However, he later took to Facebook to post a heartfelt plea, expressing deep concern for Bao’s safety and well-being. He and their 9-year-old daughter desperately seek any information that could lead to finding her.
Bao had planned to connect with the local community through door-to-door outreach to promote her services as a real estate consultant. Her sudden disappearance is entirely out of character, further heightening the worries of her family.
On Wednesday, she was supposed to pick up her daughter from school but failed to do so, prompting staff from the after-school care program to take the child home. Since then, more than 20 police detectives have been actively working on Operation Helo, piecing together her last known movements.
According to Detective Inspector Nicola Reeves, Bao was last seen around 10.30 am on Wednesday while cold calling for her job. The last known sighting was when she spoke to someone after knocking on their door in Vickerys Rd, near the intersection of Hayton Rd. Her silver Nissan Dualis car with the registration PKT 556 was found approximately 1km away from where she was last seen, parked in Iroquois Pl.
The entire community is joining efforts to assist in locating Yanfei Bao, hoping for her safe return as her family continues to endure this difficult and distressing time.
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Family and Police Worries
Her family raised concerns about her whereabouts in the afternoon, and police say they have concerns for her welfare. Stuff understands a senior detective is involved in the investigation.
Partner’s Silence
Bao’s partner, Paul Gooch, said he did not want to comment at this time. Visibly distressed at his Avonhead home, Gooch asked for people to stop contacting his phone because cyber police were trying to access the line.
Search Efforts and Testimonials
There were no visible police present outside Bao’s home. A friend at the family home, who did not want to be named, said she got the news on Thursday morning and was terrified for Bao’s safety. The friend said she felt sad for Bao’s daughter, who is primary school age, and said she had known her for two years. Harcourts Wigram branch manager Hamish McLeod said more than 40 real estate agents across Christchurch had stopped to work to join the search for Bao.
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Bao’s Professional Background
She was a new member of the team but had lived in Christchurch. He was not sure where she was last seen, but confirmed she was working. “The nature of real estate is that agents are not necessarily fixed on office time,” he said.
Her Harcourts profile describes her as a highly skilled professional, and previously a top-selling salesperson at a major electronics brand. She reached the status of Apple Master, studied at the University of Canterbury, and has a master’s degree in English linguistics and a post-graduate diploma in business management. “Family is her priority, and she loves nothing more than spending time with her partner and young daughter,” the profile says.
“In her spare time, she loves to read and other interests include travel and learning something new every day.” She proudly shared a recent sale she made in Strowan for $1.7 million on her Instagram page in June.
Police’s Appeal for Information
Police said the last time Bao was seen she was wearing reading glasses. They have asked that anyone with information on her whereabouts to call 111 immediately and quote event number P055385539.
SOURCE: STUFF