Chinese murder police urge public compassion
Aug 19 2008 by Dan Warburton, The Journal
POLICE investigating the murder of two Chinese graduates last night appealed for public compassion as the search for their killers gathers pace.
It is now 10 days since Zhen Xing Yang and his girlfriend Xi Zhou, both 25, were found dead in their ground-floor flat in Croydon Road, Fenham, New- castle.
They suffered severe head injuries and multiple stab wounds during a frenzied attack in which their cat was also drowned.
Allegations of documentation fraud and internet betting scams involving the couple have formed the focus of the investigation into their deaths.
But police last night called for compassion as their distraught families come to terms with their brutal deaths.
Leading the investigation, Det Supt Steve Wade said: “A lot has been printed and said over recent days about the online business activities of the two victims. However, we must not lose sight of the fact that they are just that – victims.
“This young couple were killed at the home they shared in Newcastle, thousands of miles from their families and the country of their birth.
“They leave behind distraught families and uncomprehending friends and no amount of speculation concerning their online activities should be allowed to obscure the fact that this was a happy young couple who had their futures snatched away from them.”
Officers confirmed that in the past 24 hours they had made further contact with Mr Yang’s father and Ms Zhou’s mother in China through a translator.
Mr Yang, from Dalian and known as Kevin, was exposed last week operating as an agent in an internet betting scam relaying Premier League football scores back to China in a bid to help gamblers due to a time delay.
After a three-day investigation by The Journal, we uncovered chilling threats made to the graduate on Mandarin-speaking forums online.
Evidence was also unearthed that he offered fake international driving licences, cut-price toiletries and college papers for students to present back home who could not complete their studies in the North East.
Det Supt Steve Wade said: “A possible motive for the killing is beginning to emerge concerning the lifestyle of Xi Zhou and Zhen Xing Yang.
“Community intelligence supported by the examination of computer equipment and mobile call data has shown that both of the victims have been involved in fraudulent activity which has angered and upset a number of people.
“We are currently investigating this as a possible motive for the killings.”
Police also confirmed they would be checking the bank accounts of the murdered duo for possible withdrawals by their killers.
It is thought Mr Yang may have been tortured for up to an hour by his killer in what police believe was an attempt to find hidden stashes of cash.
Click the links below for a re-cap of the history of the murder investigation
Betting scam linked to Chinese student couple's murder
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