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The detective leading the investigation into the deaths of a Chinese couple in Newcastle has made an appeal for people who knew the pair to come forward.
The bodies of the former students, believed to be 25-year-old Xi Zhou and Zhen Xing Yang, also 25, were found shortly after 4.30pm, on Saturday, August 9, after officers from Northumbria Police were called to a ground floor flat in Croydon Road, Newcastle.
Officers had responded to a call from a former tenant and friend of the pair, who was visiting the address with two other friends.
Unable to get an answer they got into the flat through an insecure downstairs rear window. They discovered the body of their female friend Xi Zhou in the front bedroom.
Officers attended, searched the flat and discovered the woman the front bedroom and a dead man in the rear bedroom. Both had suffered a violent attack with a sharp edged instrument and knife, with the man losing a significant amount of blood.
Xi Zhou was known to friends and colleagues as Ci Ci and worked at Wagamama's Restaurant in Newcastle as a waitress. She was described as a reliable, hard working member of staff with a bubbly personality.
Miss Zhou completed her MA Degree in Applied Linguistics at Newcastle University in September 2006.
Mr Yang completed his MA Degree in International Human Resources at Newcastle University in September 2006.
The pair met at Newcastle University and were boyfriend/girlfriend at the time of the killings.
Northumbria Police is liaising with the Chinese Consulate in Manchester and the Chinese Embassy in London to provide information and support to the families.
Family Liaison Officers using interpreters have contacted her parents by telephone and delivered the sad news of her death. Despite strenuous efforts we have been unable at this stage to contact any next of kin for Mr Yang.
It is known Miss Zhou worked an 11am to 3pm shift at the Wagamama Restaurant in Newcastle on Thursday, August 7. She left the restaurant at 3.47pm and is believed to have walked to her home address. This is the last sighting of Miss Zhou. She failed to turn up for work the following day.
We have no current sightings of Mr Yang other than a visit from his landlord sometime at the end of July/beginning of August this year, but a friend of Mr Yang spoke to him by mobile at 2.38pm, on Wednesday, August 6. The conversation was brief with no cause for concern being expressed.
Detective Superintendent Steve Wade, who is leading the murder investigation, said: "We are attempting to piece together the lifestyle of both victims in an attempt to establish a motive for this brutal attack. At this time we have no known motive as to why this attack has occurred.
"A painstaking and thorough forensic examination is being carried out. It is anticipated it will be several days before the scene can be released.
"House to house enquiries are continuing in the vicinity of the crime scene and the search of the scene is ongoing looking for possible weapons used in the attack.
"Investigating officers have had meetings with the Chinese community in the West End of Newcastle and we are particularly interested to identify friends and associates of the couple and enquiries are ongoing with the universities and Xi Zhou's place of work.
"We are using Chinese media outlets, internet websites, and community contacts to try and build up a lifestyle profile of the victims and identify the last sightings of the couple alive.
"I am appealing to anyone who knew either Zhen Yang or Xi Zhou to contact Northumbria Police.
"We would also like to speak to anyone who saw or heard from Zhen Yang or Xi Zhou in the week leading up to the discovery of their bodies on Saturday, August 9, or anyone who saw or heard any screams or suspicious activity coming from the address in the week leading up to the discovery of the bodies?"
Chief Superintendent Paul Weir, Newcastle Area Commander, said: "This is a tragic loss of two young lives and our thoughts are with their families as they try to come to terms with what has happened. We have a team of highly trained detectives led by one of the force's senior investigators working very hard to find those responsible and ensure they are brought to justice.
"It is understandable after what's happened that there's a great deal of concern in the community and we're addressing that, with local officers carrying out extra patrols in the area and will be speaking to residents individually to reassure them all is being done to find the offenders.
"There are thousands of students studying in Newcastle's two universities, many of them from overseas. We have close links with the universities to help keep the students' safe during their time here. For instance they have their own neighbourhood officer who maintains regular contact with the students and ensures they have all the crime prevention and safety advice they need.
"Newcastle is home to people of many different nationalities and we work closely with community leaders and others to foster cohesion between different groups and cultures.
"Violent crime in Newcastle fell by 18% last year, but unfortunately there are still occasions when people become victims of violence and it is our job to find the attackers.
"And I know it's no comfort for anyone who has been the victim of a serious crime, but I must stress that Newcastle is still one of the safest cities in the country. Our key aim is to make it even safer for everyone."
Anyone with any information can contact the Murder Incident Room on 03456 043043, ext 62832. Northumbria Police can be contacted on 03456 043043. Alternatively you can contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.
Police Force: Northumbria
Address:
Croydon Road
Newcastle
Tyne and Wear
NE4
