Police investigation staff were working towards an October trial date for a now 53-year-old man charged with murder in relation to Bao’s death.
More than a year after Bao disappeared, and with a man awaiting trial for her alleged murder, police returned to private farmland in the Greenpark area on the southern outskirts of the city to resume their search.
The farmland had previously been searched, but police say “recent information received by the investigations team” has led them back to the spot.
The search, which involved more than 60 staff, was centred on land near the intersection of Hudsons and Clarks roads.
Police are today back searching near Greenpark, outside of Christchurch for Yanfei Bao. Photo / Emily Ansell
Reeves said earlier that police were continuing to act on leads and information received, and initiate search activity accordingly.
“We are still determined to do everything we can to find Yanfei and we continue to follow up information that might lead us to her whereabouts,” she said.
“We would like to thank the farm owners in this area who have allowed us to return to search again, and who have been so co-operative with us throughout our efforts.”
A large police team are out searching today. Photo / Emily Ansell
The 44-year-old Bao was last seen alive arriving at a property for sale in Hornby’s Trevor Street, where she was set to show a potential buyer through the house.
She was reported missing later that day, after failing to pick up her 9-year-old daughter from school.
A week later, the search had been upgraded to a homicide investigation, and on August 15, it was announced that Tingjun Cao had a murder charge to add to his kidnapping charge.
