Body in suitcase nearly beheaded, court told

Nineteen-year-old international student Wan Baio, whose body was found in a suitcase in Auckland's Waitemata Harbour, had almost been beheaded, it was revealed today.

Four Chinese international students are charged with kidnapping and murdering Mr Wan, an English language student, on Good Friday this year.

Hours before his death, an $800,000 ransom demand was made to Mr Wan's parents but no money changed hands.

The four appeared at a depositions hearing in Auckland District Court today.

In the police summary of facts, it was revealed Mr Wan's body was found stuffed into a suitcase with towels, rubbish bags, two saws and a knife.

Mr Wan's head was attached to his torso by only a small amount of skin at the back of his neck.

However, the cause of his death was strangulation.

Li Xheng, 21, and Cui Xiangxin, 20, are accused of kidnapping and murder.

Yin Lianda, 21, and Wang Xuxi, 20, are accused of kidnapping and being accessories to murder.

Lawyers for Li and Yin both admitted at the beginning of the depositions hearing that the pair had a case to answer over the kidnap and murder of Mr Wan.

All four men were committed to trial in the High Court in Auckland at the end of the depositions hearing today.

They are expected to appear in the High Court for a call-over next month.

- NZPA