31 Jul 2024

Scene examination continues at farm where remains believed to be Yanfei Bao found

7:50 am on 31 July 2024
Yanfei Bao

Scene examination continues at the Canterbury property where remains believed to be missing woman Yanfei Bao were found. Photo: Supplied

Police will continue a scene examination of a Canterbury property where remains believed to be missing Christchurch woman Yanfei Bao were found.

The discovery was made on Tuesday morning during a police search along a treeline on private farmland in the Greenpark area in the Selwyn district.

The search involved a team of 60 staff after police received information that led to a "specific location of interest".

While searching private farmland in the Greenpark area in Canterbury, police found a shallow grave was discovered along the treeline.

The farmland where police found the remains they believe are Yanfei Bao. Photo: RNZ / Nate McKinnon

The remains were found in a shallow grave about 150mm deep, according to police.

Detective Inspector Nicola Reeves said she was "comfortable" police had found Bao.

A post mortem was due to take place on Wednesday, with results likely to take a few days.

In the meantime, police would remain at the Greenpark property today forensically examining the area for any other possible items of interest.

In a police statement on Wednesday, Reeves thanked the dedicated team of staff that achieved this result.

"Bringing Yanfei home is what we set out to do, and we are confident that we have succeeded in that," she said.

"This brings a range of emotions, but mainly relief that we can finish this chapter for Yanfei's loved ones and give them a sense of peace.

"Yanfei's family are now processing this news and taking time to come to terms with the information."

A 53-year-old Chinese national, Tingjun Cao, was accused of her kidnapping and murder, with a trial date scheduled for October.

Police were not seeking anybody else in connection to Bao's murder.

A Christchurch city councillor hopes the discovery of remains after a year-long search will bring closure.

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