My Account
Police investigating the discovery of human remains located in the water off Gulf Harbour on Tuesday have today released further information in the hopes of identifying the victim.
Acting Detective Inspector Tim Williams, Waitematā CIB, says despite the post-mortem examination being completed earlier this week, police have limited details to assist with who the victim is.
“We have established the victim is a female, small in stature, who we believe is middle-aged,” Inspector Williams says. “The victim is not a child, nor do we believe she is a teenager. She is believed to be of Asian descent, and may be Chinese.”
The Waitematā investigation team is aware there has been some speculation that the victim is Ms Yanfei Bao from Christchurch, however this has been ruled out.
Acting Detective Inspector Williams says Police are also releasing images of the clothing the victim was located in.
“These are blue pyjama pants with a distinct pattern on them, and a brands’ emblem on a light-coloured singlet.”
Police hope that releasing the image may encourage someone to come forward with information about who this victim might be.
Police’s next priority will be to then identify and notify the victim’s next-of-kin.
“We want to reassure the community our investigation is continuing to establish the facts to ascertain the full circumstances around the death of this woman,” Acting Detective Inspector Williams says.
“This includes establishing when, where, and how, however the nature of this discovery provides some complexities to the investigation.”
Police are continuing to treat this matter very seriously and we are determined to hold the person, or persons, responsible for her death to account.
“We do appreciate how unsettling this incident is for both the Gulf Harbour and wider community and we want to reassure you we do not believe there is a wider risk to the public in relation to this death,” Acting Detective Inspector Williams says.
The dedicated phone line for queries relevant to the investigation is 0800 755 021.
Police ask anyone who may have information on a woman matching the description who they have concerns for to please get in touch. Additionally, anyone who was near the water, between Gulf Harbour and Long Bay in the last few days who saw anything of concern should contact police.
If you have a property facing the water, police ask that you check your CCTV, and call them if there is anything of note.
“No piece of information is too little as we work to establish what has occurred,” Acting Detective Inspector Williams says.
You can also provide information via police’s 105 phone service or online at https://www.police.govt.nz/use-105, using Update My Report. Reference file number 240312/9837.
Alternatively, information can be provided anonymously via Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111.
Police will continue to provide further proactive updates as the investigation allows.
