Attributable to Detective Inspector Nicola Reeves:
Police have been out in large numbers across Christchurch today as teams work to locate and return Yanfei Bao to her family.
The investigation into the disappearance of Ms Bao was escalated to a homicide investigation yesterday.
Since then, the Police National Dive Squad has been on the water in the Halswell River.
The squad has been assisted by Surf Lifesaving personnel throughout the operation, supporting Police as they search along the river’s banks in Inflatable Rescue Boats.
The Dive Squad is utilising sonar technology to search beneath the surface of the water and identify anything that may be of interest.
Staff in New Brighton Road and Lake Terrace Road and in the suburb of Greenpark have been conducting grid searches of the area.
We remain committed to finding Ms Bao and more people are expected to join the search tomorrow.
Police Search and Rescue, LandSAR volunteers, Coastguard, Surf Lifesaving, Police Specialist Search Group, Police Dog Team, Garden City Helicopters and AREC (Amateur Radio Emergency Communications) are expected to be on the ground, water and in the sky tomorrow taking part in the search.
The helicopters will be assisting with an aerial search, predominantly of Lake Ellesmere.
Police would like to thank all the personnel and volunteers from our partner agencies for the time and commitment they have given to this operation.
The investigation team continues to be interested in hearing from members of the public that saw Ms Bao’s vehicle on the day she went missing, Wednesday 19 July.
Anyone who saw the silver Nissan Dualis after 12:30pm and before 10:45pm is urged to contact Police.
Information can be given to Police via 105, either by calling or going online to https://www.police.govt.nz/use-105 using ‘Update Report’.
Please reference file number 230720/5911.
ENDS
Issued by the Police Media Centre
NOTE TO MEDIA - B-roll of the river search is available, please email media@police.govt.nz to request