PHOTO: Detective Inspector Nicola Reeves. 1NEWS
Human remains have been found in the search for missing Christchurch woman Yanfei Bao, one year after her disappearance, police announced.
Detective Inspector Nicola Reeves stated that a grave was discovered this morning after more than 60 police officers resumed their search in rural farmland around Greenpark.
“While searching private farmland in the Greenpark area this morning, a shallow grave was discovered along the tree line,” she said in a statement. “The remains cannot immediately be formally identified, and work is now underway to excavate and forensically examine them. This news has been shared with Yanfei’s immediate family, and while long hoped for, still comes as a shock.”
“The area had previously been searched, and new information led us back here to search specific locations of interest.”
Dozens of police cars and vans were seen at the Greenpark site earlier.
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The detective inspector said she was “unable to share” the new information that led police investigators to the grave due to “operational reasons.”
“A scene examination is now underway and police will be visible in the area for some time. Police investigation staff are working towards an October trial date for a now 53-year-old man charged with murder in relation to Yanfei’s death.”
The search earlier this morning centered around land near the intersection of Hudsons and Clarks roads in the Greenpark area — about 25km southwest of Christchurch CBD.
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Reeves thanked local landowners for being “so cooperative with us” during the search.
“We would like to thank the farm owners in this area who have allowed us to return to search again, and who have been so cooperative with us throughout our efforts.”
In September, Tingjun Cao, 53, pled not guilty to Bao’s kidnapping and murder and will stand trial later this year. He was arrested at Christchurch Airport just days after Bao’s disappearance and, in mid-August last year, was charged with her murder.
The 44-year-old mother and real estate agent was last seen alive in the suburb of Wigram on July 19, 2023. A day later, police announced she was missing, and a week after that, her disappearance was upgraded to a homicide investigation.
SOURCE: 1NEWS