Police have confirmed a body found in a Brisbane apartment earlier this was wearing distinctive jewellery that has been identified as belonging to missing Chinese national Qiong Yan.
Share this @internewscast.com

An international student allegedly murdered a flatmate found in a “body box” and impersonated her to steal more than $700,000, a jury has heard.

Yang Zhao today pleaded not guilty to the murder of Qiong Yan, 29, in September 2020 at their apartment in the inner-Brisbane suburb of Hamilton.

He admitted to tampering with Yan’s body, which was discovered hidden in a toolbox on the balcony of their riverside apartment nearly 10 months following her supposed murder.

Police have confirmed a body found in a Brisbane apartment earlier this was wearing distinctive jewellery that has been identified as belonging to missing Chinese national Qiong Yan.
Qiong Yan’s body was found in a toolbox on her unit’s balcony almost 10 months after her death. (AAP)

Cook said Zhao took control of Yan’s phone, placing black tape over its cameras.

Zhao then sent 2000 messages to Yan’s mother in China and her friend in Sydney over the next few months, the jury heard.

Cook revealed that Zhao was fond of living extravagantly, and before the alleged murder, he had unsuccessfully gambled on the stock market and poker, at times losing up to $100,000.

“(Zhao) needed money. He lost money. He killed (Ms Yan). He posed as her for a while. He took her money,” Cook said.

The jury was informed that Yan’s mother had transferred a total of $411,000, and cash withdrawals amounting to $200,000 were made from Yan’s bank accounts after her death.

Cook said Zhao transferred Yan’s $300,000 Porsche Panamera SUV to his own name and later sold it, along with her MacBook computer.

“Zhao never had a job, he never lodged a tax return. He was in arrears for rent,” Cook said.

Zhao, aged 26 at the time of the alleged murder, was a Chinese national living in Australia on a student visa.

Yan was also a Chinese national living on a bridging visa and was a migration agency director.

Yan’s friend in Sydney filed a missing persons report to NSW Police after months of receiving strange messages.

“Once Ms Yan was reported missing – the Crown alleges there was extensive self-preservation by Mr Zhao, driven by selfishness and cowardice,” Cook said.

Cook told jurors they would hear Zhao lied to police in two states and led them on a wild goose chase before Yan’s body was found.

Share this @internewscast.com
You May Also Like
The team at Claxon Agency

‘The New Standard’: How Daniel’s Team Enjoys a 4-Day Workweek Without Losing Pay

Daniel Willis, the founder and CEO of media agency Claxon, implemented a…

New Advisory for Australian Travelers Due to Escalating Thailand-Cambodia Tensions

Australia is “deeply concerned” by escalating tensions across the Thai-Cambodian border, Foreign…
Man arrested in Heidelberg West over allegations he used a camera to film his colleagues at a Melbourne hospital

Colleague Suspected of Secretly Filming Hundreds in Melbourne Hospital Bathrooms

Nearly 600 victims have reportedly been recognized in intimate videos allegedly extracted…
Trump's feud just exploded into the public. And then Trump backed off

Trump’s Dispute Goes Public, Then He Retreats

The look on Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell’s face said it all.…
An episode of popular television show South Park depicting an animation ofDonald Trump in bed with Satan.

South Park Criticizes Trump in a Bold Comeback Episode

The creators of South Park, Trey Parker and Matt Stone, have revived…

Wrestling Legend Hulk Hogan Passes Away at Age 71

Police in Clearwater, Florida, said authorities had responded to a medical call…
Rapper arrested after burglars invaded her home

Rapper Detained Following Home Invasion by Burglars

US rapper GloRilla faced arrest this week on felony drug allegations after…

Stage 18 of the Tour de France: Australia’s Ben O’Connor Conquers Challenging Alpine Summit

Australia Ben O’Connor won stage 18 of the Tour de France with…
Australians issued warning about popular tourist destinations

A Warning for Australians: Beware of Certain Tourist Hotspots

Australian tourists have been cautioned to reconsider travel plans to certain regions…

France Plans to Acknowledge Palestinian Statehood in September, Announces Macron

French President Emmanuel Macron has announced France will recognise Palestinian statehood, amid…
More victims, suspects expected in US child sex abuse bunker

More Suspected Victims and Perpetrators Anticipated in U.S. Child Abuse Case Linked to Bunker

A group of seven individuals has been charged with the horrific abuse…
The ram-raid caused damage to the inside of the Essendon North nail bar.

“Thief Demands Payment in Overnight Ram-Raid at Luxury Nail Salon”

A ute has backed into a high-end nail salon in Melbourne’s north-west,…