PHOTO: The police dive squad searching the Halswell River, south of Christchurch, on Wednesday.
Police have announced that they no longer believe missing real estate agent Yanfei Bao is alive and have shifted their investigation to a homicide inquiry. Detective Inspector Nicola Reeves made the statement during a press conference in Christchurch, revealing that they had received over 170 tips from the public since Bao’s disappearance a week ago. While they are not ruling out any possibilities, they are exploring the involvement of other individuals.
A man has been charged with kidnapping Bao, who is a mother to a 9-year-old girl. The police are currently conducting a forensic examination of a property in Trevor St, Hornby, where Bao was scheduled to show a prospective buyer on the day she went missing. Additionally, police were observed searching the Halswell River near Neills Rd, south-east of Lincoln, with inflatable boats and an underwater camera. They are using cellphone data to track the movements of the kidnapping suspect along nearby roads.
Police have also been searching areas near Palmers Rd and the Avon River, New Brighton, as part of the ongoing missing person investigation. The seriousness of the situation has led authorities to consider all possible leads and put significant effort into locating Bao.
Investigators are meticulously examining CCTV footage from various homes in the street where Bao was last seen, hoping to gather information about her movements and the individuals involved in her disappearance. Some residents have reported seeing the suspected kidnapper’s silver Mitsubishi sedan parked nearby.
Amidst the investigation, police are continuing to conduct a scene examination at the Trevor St property, and they remain deeply concerned about Bao’s wellbeing. They are leaving no stone unturned in their efforts to find her and determine what may have happened.
SOURCE: STUFF
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