A couple were likely killed in a “targeted double murder” before the alleged offenders fled overseas, New South Wales police have said.
The body of Zhuojun “Sally” Li, 33, was found wrapped in plastic in bushland at Sir Joseph Banks Park in Botany near Sydney airport on 9 December. On Tuesday, police said detectives found a second body at about the same location where they had found Li’s body.
In a press conference on Tuesday, Det Supt Danny Doherty said there was a “strong likelihood” the body was that of Li’s husband, Jai-Bao “Rex” Chen, also 33. The body has yet to be formally identified.
Doherty said the second body was found underneath thick foliage and was not yet removed from the creek.
“At this stage, we are treating it as more than likely a targeted double murder,” he said. “As we said previously, a very strong investigative theory is that a third party is involved.”
Doherty said at least two people were likely involved, and police believed they had travelled to Queensland before traveling overseas. Chen’s phone was retrieved in Queensland.
Homicide detectives created Strike Force Zygon to investigate Li’s death.
She was reported missing when her mother was unable to get in contact with her, police said.
On 14 December, police made a public appeal to locate Chen, saying they held “grave concerns” for his welfare.
Police have said their investigation continues and they are still appealing for people to contact them if they have any information about a silver Toyota Avensis they say stopped on the northern side of Foreshore Road in Botany between 4am and 5am on 30 November.
