A man who was previously charged with kidnapping missing real estate agent in New Zealand will also face a murder charge today.
The 52-year-old man was initially charged with kidnapping Yanfei Bao, and was remanded in custody following his first court appearance on July 24 – two days after he was arrested in the public area of Christchurch International Airport, in New Zealand's South Island, with no bags and a one-way flight to China booked.
Detective Inspector Nicola Reeves said the man, who has name suppression, will now face an additional charge of murder, Stuff reported.
Reeves said police investigating Bao's disappearance would now like to appeal for information from the public in relation to a tracksuit, top, and a spade, they have released images of.
Police believe the items have been discarded in the Christchurch area some time from approximately midday on Wednesday 19 July, to about 5pm Saturday 22 July.
The spade is brand new, Reeves said.
Meanwhile a Specialist Search Group will be back at farmland in Greenpark, south of Christchurch, conducting further searches as part of the investigation.
"We remain committed to locating Ms Bao and returning her to her family," Reeves said.
The alleged murderer's car, a silver Mitsubishi sedan which had been the focus of police enquiries, was found parked near the airport on the same day he was arrested.
Bao was last seen at a home in the Christchurch suburb of Hornby on July 19, where she was meeting a prospective client.
At 11.16am she made a call to friend, Jin Tian, on the Chinese social media app WeChat.
Bao asked how a Chinese buyer who lived in Christchurch could transfer $600,000 from China to buy a house.
Under the Overseas Investment Act, only New Zealand citizens and permanent residents who are 'ordinarily resident' can buy property without restrictions.
However, Bao didn't give Tian any idea as to the immigration status of the client she was inquiring about.
Sometime after 12.30pm, Bao's silver Nissan car disappeared from the street.
A car belonging to the 52-year-old man charged with kidnapping Bao was seen further down the street by two residents on the same day.
The silver Mitsubishi appeared to be parked on an awkward angle.
One resident later reported seeing the car at 12.25pm.
Stuff understands the man accused of kidnapping had been in New Zealand since March and may have been introduced to Bao because he wanted to buy a house for relatives in China.
