Police had completed a scene examination at the property where Bao’s remains were found, Reeves said.
She would not give any further information about Bao’s post-mortem examination, citing an imminent trial for her alleged murderer.
Bao was last seen alive on July 19 last year when she arrived at a house for sale on Trevor St, Hornby, set to show a potential buyer through. Her disappearance was upgraded to a homicide investigation a week later.
Tingjun Cao, 53, of Bryndwr, has been charged with murdering Bao. He was also charged with kidnapping, but police later dropped this. Cao was due to stand trial in October.
Reeves said the remains were found in a shallow grave - about 15cm deep - along a line of trees on the rural property in Greenpark, near Lincoln, about a half-hour drive south of Christchurch.
A team of 60 police staff searched the property and, after 90 minutes, they found Bao’s makeshift grave.
They had visited the property before but returned on Tuesday after receiving fresh information.
After the discovery, Reeves thanked the “dedicated team” of staff working on the case.
Yanfei Bao. Photo / New Zealand Police
“Bringing Yanfei home is what we set out to do, and we are confident that we have succeeded in that.
