Police release chilling new details in Gulf Harbour body case, ruling out Yanfei Bao as victim

Police in New Zealand have established a dedicated phone line for a case involving a body found wrapped in plastic bags on a beach in Whangaparaoa. They are urging anyone with information, particularly those who were near the water between Gulf Harbour and Long Bay, to come forward. People can contact the investigation team directly at 0800 755 021 or provide information anonymously through Crime Stoppers. Police are treating the death as a homicide and have yet to identify the victim.

The discovery of the body was made by a man, Paul Middleton, who was fishing in Whangaparaoa and reeled in an object wrapped in plastic bags. Upon closer inspection, Middleton found a hand inside the bag, prompting him to call the police. The case was initially considered “unexplained”, but new details led to an upgrade to a homicide investigation. On Thursday, police made a public appeal for information to help identify the victim and shared photographs of the victim’s clothing. However, as of Friday, the victim remains unidentified.

Authorities are encouraging anyone who may have seen something suspicious or have relevant information to come forward. They are particularly interested in speaking to those who have CCTV footage of the area or were near the water between Gulf Harbour and Long Bay in the days leading up to the discovery. No piece of information is considered too insignificant as police work to piece together what happened. Updates on the investigation will be provided as new information becomes available.

The community is being urged to contact the investigation team if they have any concerns about a woman matching the description of the victim or if they saw anything of note near the water in the area. Police are asking property owners with waterfront views to check their CCTV footage and report any relevant findings. The case has sparked public interest and concern, leading to an increase in calls to the dedicated phone line and the 105 phone service. Police are committed to pursuing all leads and working towards establishing the circumstances surrounding the death of the victim found on the beach in Whangaparaoa.

As the investigation into the homicide continues, police are working diligently to identify the victim and gather information that may lead to the apprehension of any individuals involved in the crime. The case has raised alarm in the community, prompting a swift response from law enforcement. With the help of the public and the information provided through the dedicated phone line and online services, authorities hope to make progress in their investigation. The victim’s family and loved ones are likely awaiting closure and justice, making it crucial for anyone with relevant information to come forward and assist in bringing the perpetrators to justice.