A coroner has ruled that an Auckland student who disappeared in 2019 likely ended his life at Piha in West Auckland.
Guoquan Wu, 22, also known as Laurence, was reported missing on March 12, 2019, his car was later found in the Piha Beach parking lot, but no trace of Wu was ever found.
Coroner Peter Ryan ruled that Wu had died of a self-inflicted death on or about March 10, 2019.
Lucas Wu/delivered
Laurence Wu was described as “happy” by his family.
Wu had been in New Zealand on a student visa and had recently broken up with his girlfriend before he went missing, the report on his disappearance said.
CONTINUE READING:
* Police say all lines of inquiry have been exhausted in the search for the missing Auckland man
* Despite $200,000 reward, no evidence of missing Laurence Wu
* The family of missing Auckland student Laurence Wu didn’t want the police to close the case
He had attended high school in New Zealand and was almost completing his computer science degree at Auckland University.
On March 10, 2019, Wu left his Morningside home and drove to a pharmacy where he bought homeopathic sleeping pills. The pharmacist later told police the pills weren’t poisonous and only made Wu sleepy.
He was last seen around 1.40pm that day at St Lukes Liquor Center in Auckland Later in the afternoon Wu called his ex-girlfriend and told her he had left a note for her on his computer and that he intended to take his own life gain weight. He didn’t want to say where he was.
The coroner’s report says she told Wu not to “do anything stupid” and that she contacted some of his friends about the call, but they assured her that Wu would not kill himself.
Abigail Dougherty/Stuff
A missing person’s sign for Guoquan (Laurence) Wu outside his cousin’s house in 2019.
Wu never returned to his home, and on March 12, one of his friends reported him missing to the police.
A note was later found on his computer indicating an intention to end his own life. After his disappearance, an extensive search was conducted for Wu, and his family hired a helicopter and boat to help.
His family traveled from China to Auckland to help search and returned home in early May without knowing if he was dead or alive.
Abigail Dougherty
Wu’s parents, Zhen Zhou Wu and Gui Ting Huang, stand next to a sign that reads, in translation, “Mum and Dad have arrived, please come home soon.”
Several sightings were reported to police, but all were proven false. In May 2019, his family offered a $200,000 reward for information leading to Wu’s location.
As of March 10, the police said Wu’s bank account was untouched.
Wu’s brother Lucas previously told Stuff his family has been going through “the most difficult, hardest and most painful times” since Wu’s disappearance.
“My parents just want my brother back,” he said.
Ryan noted when Wu disappeared that he was distraught over his breakup and had Googled topics related to taking his own life that day.
He said there were two possible accidental death options, including drowning while swimming or falling while climbing Lion Rock.
DELIVERED
Wu has not been seen since March 10, 2019.
“In my view, his actions indicated an intention to take his own life and this reduces the likelihood of either of those two scenarios.
“All things considered, I believe the weight of the evidence leads to the finding that Laurence attempted suicide.”
Where to get help
- 1737, Need to talk? Call toll free anytime or text 1737 for assistance from a trained advisor
- Lifeline – 0800 543 354 or (09) 5222 999 within Auckland
- Youthline – 0800 376 633, free text 234 or email talk@youthline.co.nz or chat online
- Samaritan – 0800 726 666
- Suicide Crisis Helpline – 0508 828 865 (0508 TAUTOKO)
- What’s Up – 0800 942 8787 (for 5-18 year olds). Telephone advice is available from Monday to Friday from 12:00 to 23:00 and on weekends from 15:00 to 23:00. Online chat is available daily from 7:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.
- Kidsline – 0800 54 37 54 (0800 kidsline) for young people up to the age of 18. Open 24/7.
- thelowdown.co.nz – or email team@thelowdown.co.nz or free text 5626
- Fear New Zealand – 0800 FEAR (0800 269 4389)
- Mental Illness Family Support – 0800 732 825
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