Australian police make arrest over Auckland suitcase-murder

Wan Biao

Police in Australia have arrested a fourth person over the murder of a Chinese student whose body was found floating in a suitcase in Auckland's Waitemata Harbour.

The latest arrest was made last night in Surrey Hills, Sydney, by the Australian Federal Police (AFP).

Authorities across the Tasman have been working closely with Auckland City CIB over the past 10 weeks following the discovery of the body of Wan Biao on Good Friday, April 14.

The 21 year-old former Waikato University student arrested in Sydney will appear in the city's Central Local Court today where he will face charges of kidnapping and murder.

Detective Inspector Bernie Hollewand, who is leading the investigation in Auckland, said his team had been greatly assisted by the AFP who have put in hundreds of officer hours and resources.

"This arrest could only have been effected with AFP assistance. AFP team leader Nathan Barron and his staff have done an outstanding job so we're greatly appreciative of the excellent work they've done," he said.

Three men have already been charged in New Zealand in connection with the murder. They were named this week as Zheng Li, 21, Yuxi Wang, 20, and Lianda Yin, 21 when they appeared in Auckland District Court for their pre-depositions hearing.

Li is charged with murder and kidnapping, Wang faces one kidnapping charge and one charge of tampering with evidence to help others avoid conviction. Yin is also charged with tampering with evidence to help others avoid conviction.

Police say Wan Biao, 19, was killed in an Auckland hotel room in the early hours of Good Friday.

His body was stuffed into a suitcase and dumped into the Waitemata Harbour, where it was spotted later that day by a fisherman.

The discovery of Mr Wan's body came several hours after his parents in China received a ransom demand for $800,000. None of the money was paid.

- HERALD ONLINE STAFF