Mystery as estate agent vanishes after holding open home event

27 July 2023 , 10:32

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Yanfei Bao, who worked as a real estate agent in Christchurch, New Zealand, went missing around five days ago (Image: New Zealand Police)

A real estate agent who vanished without a trace was showing someone a home at the time of her disappearance.

The open house, in Hornby, New Zealand, is now at the centre of the investigation after Christchurch realtor Yanfei Bao went missing five days ago. The owners - who asked to remain anonymous - reported being "shocked and stunned" after finding out the house they lived in for almost 40 years is now at the centre of a murder investigation.

The couple, who have now relocated to Australia, added that their home is due to undergo a forensic examination. They added that Bao was meant to be showing someone around the home on Wednesday, the morning she vanished, and that police attended their home on the Sunday night.

While admitting they were annoyed that their home was currently in the spotlight, they said they hoped that Bao - who is thought to have been kidnapped rather than killed - was found alive. “We just hope everything turns out all right,” they said. Investigators say the property in Hornby, which is in Christchurch's southern suburbs, is now an area of "significant interest". Residents have been told to expect a larger police presence over the next few days.

Cops say they're focusing the search around the house in Hornby, Christchurch (Newshub)

An auction for the property was set for Wednesday but it has been postponed as the investigation continues. At least one open home has been held there since Bao's disappearance. A suspect has been seized and accused of kidnapping as he tried to leave Christchurch International Airport on Saturday without a bag on a one-way flight to China.

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Police charged him with taking Bao without her consent and with intent to keep her confined. After appearing in court, a judge allowed for his name to remain anonymous on a temporary basis as he was remanded into custody. Officers have urged the public to contact them if they've seen the man's vehicle - a silver Mitsubishi sedan with a DPH101 number plate. Police say they're "trying to locate [Bao] and bring her home safe and well".

Forensic investigators at the house in Hornby (Newshub)

Earlier this year, the dismembered body of a missing German businessman was found in a freezer inside a house in southern Thailand.Tawee Kudthalaeng, the police chief in the town of Nong Prue, said the body of 62-year-old Hans-Peter Mack was discovered at about 11 p.m at the start of July. Mack had been missing for a week. Investigators located his body by using security camera videos from the area, Tawee said. He did not elaborate, but photos and video published by Thai media showed the freezer in the bed of a black truck with a man squatting next to it.

Mack was last seen driving his Mercedes sedan in Pattaya, a coastal city in southern Thailand, according to a missing person announcement distributed by his family that offered a reward of 3 million baht (£66,600) for information leading to his return.

Ryan Fahey