Murdered real estate agent told friend she was being chased | WATCH - Property News AU/NZ | propertynoise.co.nz & propertynoise.com.au

PHOTO: Yanfei Bao. FILE

Christchurch real estate agent Yanfei Bao told a friend a month before her disappearance that a man she had rejected was following her, as a court heard recently. The accused, 53-year-old Tingjun Cao, a Chinese national, faces a charge of murdering Bao on July 19, 2023—the same day she went missing. She was last seen going to show a property on Trevor Street, Hornby, where prosecutors allege she was fatally stabbed by Cao.

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During the trial, Bao’s close friend Qi Qi recounted their close relationship, saying Bao was outgoing and friendly. Qi recalled a conversation in June where Bao shared that she felt pursued by a man she had turned down, who was a friend of one of her clients. Despite explaining she had a husband and family, the man allegedly continued his advances. Although Bao didn’t share details about his identity, she reassured Qi that door-knocking for clients during the day was safe.

Jin Tian, another friend of Bao’s, testified that she spoke with Bao on July 19, when Bao asked about ways to transfer money from China to New Zealand, suggesting an amount of around $500,000 to $600,000. Tian assumed it related to a potential buyer, noting that Bao sounded normal and gave no indication of any distress.

The court also heard from Bao’s colleagues at Harcourts. Steven Golding, who had spoken with her that morning, testified that she had inquired about the Trevor Street property’s lockbox code. Later that week, he noted a missing set of keys and found Bao’s business card in the property’s kitchen.

House associated with the alleged murder of Yanfei Bao has been sold

According to the prosecution, Cao allegedly stabbed Bao, dragged her through the property, and placed her body in his car. Days later, her remains were found in a shallow grave on a farm in Greenpark. Prosecutors also presented a photograph from Cao’s phone that they claim shows Bao’s body with visible blood.

While the Crown has not claimed a specific motive, they suggested the photograph could indicate a potential sexual element to the crime. Defense attorney Joshua MacLeod argued that the Crown’s case was inconclusive, calling for careful examination of the evidence and investigative procedures.