Reeves said: “The remains are not immediately able to be identified and work is under way to excavate and examine them”.
“[However,] I am comfortable that we have been searching for Yanfei, and we have found her,” she said.
“The area had previously been searched, but new information has led us back here to search specific locations.”
She said police could not reveal what that information was due to operation reasons. There was other information Reeves said she would not share as a trial for the murder-accused was due for October.
“This news has been shared with Yanfei’s immediate family, and while long hoped for, still comes as a shock,” Reeves said.
Police searching on farmland at Greenpark outside Christchurch after they received new information on missing real estate agent Yanfei Bao. Photo / Emily Ansell
Today’s search, which involved more than 60 staff, was centred on land near the intersection of Hudsons and Clarks roads.
As heavy rain fell, they scoured along a tree-line after receiving new information. None of the local property owners were answering their doors as the police operation was in progress. Around midday, some police – having found the remains they were searching for – packed up and left the scene.
Reeves said: “We’ve all felt this [discovery] really heavily. We felt this was a piece we hadn’t been able to finalise. This is why we come to work. What it means now is, we will be able to tell a full story and not have a big part of that story missing or undone.”
Remains have been found in the search for Yanfei Bao. Photo / Supplied
Of the scene, Reeves said there were no signs of an “obvious disturbance”, and said teams spent an hour and a half searching the area before they found the remains.
Reeves said: “We’ve got a very experienced search and rescue officer who has been in charge of all the searching. We’ve searched a lot, but we were really hopeful today. Once we found the remains, it was essentially about the freeze and control of that scene.”
Police investigation staff were working towards an October trial date for a 53-year-old man charged with murder in relation to the death.
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, police made an arrest.
Police searching on farmland at Greenpark outside Christchurch after they received new information on missing real estate agent Yanfei Bao. Photo / Emily Ansell
As he marked the first anniversary of his partner’s disappearance this month, Paul Gooch said in a statement via police that he had been yearning for Bao to be found.
”This would provide us some measure of comfort and peace, allowing us to bid our final farewells and begin the healing process.
”Our hearts are heavy as we reflect on the vibrant and radiant spirit of Yanfei. She will be best remembered as a larger-than-life personality, embodying unwavering diligence, hard work, and an infectious sense of humour that brightened the lives of those around her.
”It has been incredibly challenging for our entire family to cope with the devastating loss of Yanfei; it has changed all our lives irreparably.”
Gooch said Bao’s daughter had shown “incredible resilience”.
“Her family, friends, and local school have rallied around her, providing substantial love and support, to help her maintain a sense of [normality] and stability in her life.
”It’s truly inspiring to witness her ability to still find reasons to smile and be her authentic self in the midst of such adversity – a testament to her remarkable strength and bravery. Her mother would undoubtedly be deeply proud of her.”
Gooch said his partner’s “magnetic confidence and warm charisma” drew people to her.
“She took great joy in sharing her captivating stories and wealth of knowledge, generously welcoming guests into her home with love, grace, and delectable cuisine.
“Her positive influence reached far and wide, touching the lives of her family, friends, and colleagues, illustrating a remarkable devotion to her loved ones. Every decision and action she made was rooted in her deep care for others, and her memory will forever occupy a cherished place in our hearts.”
Bao’s China-based family also provided a statement via the police.
”Yanfei has been away from us for a year now. As her family, we still find it difficult to accept this fact. Since the incident occurred, we have been in immense grief, feeling helpless while being far away in our home country.
”We can only hope that the police will find Yanfei soon and bring peace to her soul. Thanks to the hard work and relentless efforts of the police, significant progress has been made in the case, which brings great comfort to our family. We sincerely thank the police for their dedication to Yanfei and their support for us.”
Operation Helo had started with about 30 detectives, plus a dive squad and other specialists.
Reeves said earlier today police were continuing to act on leads and information received and initiate search activity accordingly.
