Missing Christchurch real estate agent Yanfei Bao: Forensic examination of property she was supposed to show client begins

A forensic investigation is set to begin on a property that missing Christchurch real estate agent Yanfei Bao was supposed to be guiding a potential buyer through.

Bao was last seen in the Wigram area around 10.30am on Wednesday. She was not found, but her cell phone was located on the southern highway on Friday.

A 52-year-old Bryndwr man has been charged with kidnapping Bao. According to the Herald, he booked an international outbound flight at the last minute. Police arrested him at Christchurch Airport; It is believed that he had no suitcases with him.

Police say they are not ruling out further charges. As of Tuesday morning, Bao had still not been found.

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A police tent was set up outside a house on Trevor Street in Hornby on Tuesday. A forensic investigation is scheduled to begin today. The Herald understands Bao was meant to show a potential buyer through the home that Harcourts has for sale. The home’s owners, who live in Australia, told the Herald on Monday they had been told Bao would be showing someone around the property.

Detective Inspector Nicola Reeves told NZME on Monday that police have received more than 120 pieces of information from the public. According to the Herald, most of the tips relate to a silver Mitsubishi sedan with registration number DPH101.

As part of the investigation into the disappearance of Christchurch real estate agent Yanfei Bao, police are looking for sightings of this vehicle, a silver Mitsubishi sedan, registration number DPH101. Photo / New Zealand Police

Police are looking for sightings of the car from mid-week through Saturday night, with a focus on the car’s location on Wednesday 19 July in Wigram, Hornby, Tai Tapu, Halswell, Redcliffs and New Brighton.

Police also searched a ditch near Lake Ellesmere, according to the Herald.

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Reeves said NZME police are still treating Bao as a “missing person”.

“We’re still trying to find her.

“The concern only grows the longer we don’t know where it is.”

When asked about a possible motive, Reeves said that a big focus of the investigation will be to look into Bao’s background and activities to “find out who she might have crossed paths with … to find out what the motivation might be.” It’s too early to say what that is at this point.”

Based on previous investigations, the houses searched were “sights”.

A 52-year-old Bryndwr resident appeared in Christchurch District Court. Photo / George Heard

“Some of it is excluding places as places of interest, and sometimes it’s actually about excluding places as places of interest.”

Police have searched three properties so far – one on Iroquois Place where Bao’s car was found, another property in Bryndwr where the alleged kidnapper lived and the home on Trevor St.

Several people are “aiding” the police in the investigation, dubbed Operation Helo.

Bao’s distraught husband Paul Gooch spoke to the Herald about his devastation over his wife’s disappearance.

“It’s just a nightmare,” he said at his home in Christchurch, west of the city.

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“It still feels surreal… I still can’t quite believe this is all happening.”

Gooch said he continues to hope for a positive outcome and that his wife will come home to him and their young daughter.

Police are raiding a house on Trevor St, Hornby in connection with the disappearance of Yanfei Bao. Photo / George Heard

“Other than that, it’s a very somber headspace,” he said.

“But it falters for me … it’s incredible, to be honest.”

Gooch got emotional as he thanked the public, mutual friends and family during the harrowing ordeal.

“I want to thank you all for your wonderful support so far, which we really appreciate,” he said, fighting back tears.

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“They were all just so nice.”

Police are interested in sightings of the vehicle from mid-week through last night but are particularly focused on the vehicle’s location on Wednesday 19 July in Wigram, Hornby, Tai Tapu, Halswell, Redcliffs and New Brighton. Photo / New Zealand Police

Bao’s alleged kidnapper appeared before Judge Michael Crosbie in Christchurch District Court on Monday.

Court documents claim the man “unlawfully took Yanfei Bao without her consent with the intention of imprisoning her.”

The man, assisted by an interpreter, was granted temporary name suppression and was remanded in custody to appear on August 15.

His lawyer said the man’s family had not been informed of his arrest.

Friend spoke to Yanfei Bao after the last sighting

One of Bao’s friends, Jin Tian, ​​posted on her Facebook page that she last spoke to Bao, whom she called Emily, on WeChat at 11:16 a.m. on Wednesday.

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“She mentioned it [something] about a potential customer who wants to transfer money to New Zealand and has found out about the tariff and channel.

“Then she said she would call the person to see [what] he/she wanted and would call me back. And she didn’t,” Tian wrote.

In another post, Tian said she wasn’t sure where Bao was when she called her.

On Friday, Reeves said police were “increasingly concerned” about Bao.

“Ms. Bao’s disappearance is unsolved and the missing persons investigation is ongoing.

“She was last seen going about her business as an estate agent on Vickerys Road in the Wigram area at around 10.30am.

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“She has since failed to collect her daughter from daycare and her car, a silver Nissan Dualis, was found near the area of ​​Iroquois Place where she was last seen.

Police search a house on Iroquois Place in Wigram. Photo / George Heard

Reeves said the longer Bao went missing, the more concerned police became.

Of particular concern is the fact that she did not have her cellphone, which was found in bushes on the edge of the southern freeway, she said.

Reeves previously said the last person Bao saw was a homeowner Bao visited.

“We are now interested in hearing from any citizens who may have been out on the motorway on Wednesday and noticed anything unusual.

“Anyone with information, no matter how small, is asked to contact the police immediately.

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“Police have also been conducting a house-to-house investigation in the area where she was last seen.

“If you live in this area and have not spoken to the police but have access to CCTV footage of the street area, the police would like to hear from you.

“I would like to reiterate that the police and Ms. Bao’s family are deeply concerned for her safety. This is totally out of character and her loved ones are dying to hear from her and know that she is safe.”

Yanfei Bao was last seen at around 10.30am on Wednesday at Vickerys Road, Wigram, where she was “attending a business matter”. Photo / George Heard

Gooch also prepared a statement that was released to the media.

“My family and I are deeply concerned for the safety and well-being of my beloved wife, Yanfei Bao.

“Our 9-year-old daughter and I are desperate for any information that could help the police find her.”

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Bao was a “dedicated real estate consultant” who “reached out to the local community by knocking on the door when she went missing, and we have not heard from her since.”

“We are incredibly concerned and are asking for help from anyone who knows anything.

“We are praying for Yanfei’s safe return and would like to thank everyone for their vigilance and support during this time.”

Bao’s profile on the Harcourts website says she has “extensive experience” in sales, having previously been a top-volume salesperson for a major electronics brand.

“She has achieved Apple Master status, which is a rare achievement. Highly educated and capable, with a Masters degree in English Linguistics and a Postgraduate Diploma in Business Management, she is ready to use the knowledge she has gained from her academic achievements to enhance the results she delivers for clients.”

Detective Inspector Nicola Reeves opens up about the disappearance of Christchurch real estate agent Yanfei Bao. Photo / George Heard

Family was her “priority” and she loved spending time with her partner and young daughter.

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“In her spare time she enjoys reading and her other interests include traveling and learning something new every day. If you are looking for a well educated, passionate and hardworking salesman to help you buy or sell your most important asset, give Yanfei a call because she’d love to hear from you,” reads Harcourts’ website.

Yanfei Bao was last seen around noon on Wednesday July 19 in the Wigram area. He was wearing the outfit pictured and wearing reading glasses. Photo / Canterbury Police

• Anyone who has seen Yanfei Bao or has information as to where she may be is urged to call 111 immediately and quote reference number 230720/5911.

Sam Sherwood is a Christchurch-based reporter who covers crime. He is a senior journalist who joined the Herald in 2022 and has been a journalist for 10 years.