Auckland City CIB investigators have confirmed the body of the woman discovered in the boot of a car yesterday was that of 27 year-old Anan Liu.
A post-mortem examination of Anan Liu's body was carried out this morning and preliminary findings from the pathologist are that she died during a violent episode, though the pathologist can't be precise about when she died.
Operation Patch is not looking for any weapons in connection with Anan Liu's death.
"Given all the circumstantial evidence to date - she was found in the boot of her husband's car outside their home, there was no activity on her bank accounts for at least a week before she was found, she'd had no 'phone or e-mail contact with family and friends since Tuesday, September 11 - the homicide investigation team is focusing their efforts now on finding Nai Yin Xue, her husband," Mr Scott said.
"We have a warrant for Mr Xue's arrest in New Zealand for the murder of Anan Liu and the abduction of their daughter, Qian Xun Xue.
"We have good reason to believe he is in the United States of America and we have the correct processes in place to be able to detain him there if located
"Contrary to media reports to date, this homicide investigation team has been liaising with the appropriate agencies in the United States and Australia over the whereabouts of Mr Xue, since being notified on Tuesday morning of his wife, Anan Liu's, disappearance."
The forensic examination of the car Anan Liu was found in is continuing as is the examination of the Keystone Ave, Mt Roskill address where the family lived until last week. Anan Liu's car is also being examined.
Notwithstanding the fact that Police have received a large number of calls to the Operation Patch 0800 number - 0800 272 824 - members of the public are urged to contact the operation with any information that might further the investigation.
ENDS
Issued by Noreen Hegarty
Auckland City Police Communications Manager
Ph 09 302 6947 or 0274-951-589
Website: www.police.govt.nz
MEDIA NOTE:
Due to the magnitude of this investigation, which is now encompassing four countries and a multitude of jurisdictions and agencies in New Zealand and abroad, the Officer in Charge of Operation Patch, Detective Senior Sergeant Simon Scott, will be exclusively focusing all his energies and attention on the hunt for Anan Liu's murderer.
Future routine media briefings will be hosted by Detective Inspector David Pearson.
When there are major developments in the investigation, Officer in Charge, Detective Senior Sergeant Simon Scott, will address the media.