The trial of Tingjun Cao, 53, accused of murdering Christchurch real estate agent Yanfei Bao, 44, began today at the High Court in Christchurch.
Bao was allegedly lured to a house she was selling by Cao under the pretense of having a potential buyer. According to the Crown, Cao attacked Bao, stabbing her multiple times, then placed her body in the boot of his car and buried her in a shallow grave on farmland south of the city. Bao’s remains were discovered over a year later, following an extensive investigation. The prosecution also presented CCTV footage and geolocation data tracing Cao’s movements after the alleged attack, as well as forensic evidence linking blood found at the crime scene and in Cao’s vehicle to Bao.
Cao, a Chinese national who arrived in New Zealand months before the incident, denies the murder charges. The court heard that Cao had contacted Bao on the morning of July 19, 2023, claiming a friend in China was interested in purchasing a property. The Crown’s case also suggests a possible sexual element to the crime, though Cao denies this accusation. The trial, expected to last six weeks, will hear from over 70 Crown witnesses. Bao’s body was found in an advanced state of decomposition, with forensic analysis indicating she had died from two stab wounds. Cao was arrested at Christchurch International Airport while allegedly attempting to flee the country.
