Missing Christchurch real estate agent Yanfei Bao: Police prepare to search sites in Greenpark area

Police have made a public plea for sightings of a spade and clothing believed to be linked to the murder of Yanfei Bao. Photo / Supplied

By RNZ

Police investigating the disappearance of Christchurch real estate agent Yanfei Bao are putting the search for her on hold this week.

Bao vanished from the suburb of Hornby on July 19.

Police were focusing last week on a farm in Greenpark, which is close to a previous search location, Lake Ellesmere.

There was no planned search activity this week but work was continuing to prepare search sites in the Greenpark area, a police spokesperson said.

The man accused of kidnapping and murdering Bao was due back in court on Friday.

Bao’s disappearance

The 44-year-old mother was last seen on July 19, prompting a missing persons investigation.

That investigation was upgraded to a homicide inquiry on July 26 after police said they no longer believed she was alive.

Police told Checkpoint investigators were seeking a grey tracksuit, as well as the spade and sweater, in connection with Yanfei Bao's disappearance. Photo / Supplied

Police undertook a forensic examination at a property for sale on Trevor St, Hornby, the last place she was seen alive.

Searches have also taken place in and around Halswell River and Lake Ellesmere.

Water levels have caused some issues for searchers, with police having to wait at times for water levels to recede so they could continue searching.

Items of interest

Police made a public plea on August 15 for a spade and clothing believed to be linked to the murder investigation.

Detective Inspector Nicola Reeves told Checkpoint investigators were seeking a grey tracksuit, a distinctive patterned sweater and a metre-long Xcel brand spade.

Reeves said they were discarded somewhere in the Christchurch area between midday on Wednesday, July 19, and 5pm on Saturday, July 22.

“Whether it’s been discarded on the side of the road or hidden somewhere, and people happen to see it on their travels, then we would like to be contacted about that.”