Kaixiao Liu and Lanyue Xiao have been named as the individuals charged with “offering an indignity” to the remains of an unidentified woman found wrapped in bags floating off Gulf Harbour, North Auckland.
The pair, both 36, deny the charge and are set for trial. Despite being arrested a month ago, and initially granted name suppression, their identities were revealed after they decided not to pursue further suppression.
The victim, a small East Asian woman, was found by a fisherman on March 12, and her remains have been at the Auckland city mortuary. Police continue to investigate the case as a homicide, with Liu and Xiao accused of interfering with the body four days before it was discovered.
The mysterious case remains unsolved, with the woman’s identity still unknown despite extensive efforts by police, including an Interpol “black notice” and international collaborations.
The pair charged with misconduct have not been accused of her murder, and police are considering further arrests or charges.
The victim’s body, found in blue pyjama pants and a singlet with Chinese lettering, did not match any known DNA profiles, leaving police appealing for more information.
Shocking Asia