Human remains have been found in the search for missing Christchurch woman Yanfei Bao, one year on from her disappearance, police have announced.
Detective Inspector Nicola Reeves said a grave was discovered this morning after more than 60 police resumed a search in rural farmland around Greenpark.
"While searching private farmland in the Greenpark area this morning, a shallow grave was discovered along the tree line," she said in an earlier statement.
"The remains cannot immediately be formally identified, and work is now underway to excavate and forensically examine them. This news has been shared with Yanfei's immediate family, and while long hoped for, still comes as a shock.
"The area had previously been searched, and new information led us back here to search specific locations of interest."
Dozens of police cars and vans could be seen at the Greenpark site earlier.
Over a year after her disappearance, human remains have been found in the search for the Christchurch woman. (Source: 1News)
Speaking to media this afternoon, Reeves said the latest search lasted about "an hour and a half" and the discovered grave was about "150mm" deep.
Reeves added police had previously searched the area, but returned after receiving a specific lead. Details of the lead were unable to be shared due to the case going to trial in October.
While formal identification of the body has yet to take place, Reeves said she was confident it is Bao.
When asked whether further charges could be expected following the discovery of the body, she said "we will have to wait and see".
On the previous search in the area, Reeves confirmed that occurred days after the disappearance of Bao. She described the discovery as a "weight off" the shoulders of those who have worked on the case but added it "still comes as a shock".
The detective inspector said she was "unable to share" the new information that led police investigators to the grave due to "operational reasons".
"A scene examination is now underway and police will be visible in the area for some time. Police investigation staff are working towards an October trial date for a now 53-year-old man charged with murder in relation to Yanfei's death."
The search earlier this morning centred around land near the intersection of Hudsons and Clarks roads in the Greenpark area — around 25km southwest of Christchurch CBD.
Reeves thanked local landowners for being "so cooperative with us" during the search.
"We would like to thank the farm owners in this area who have allowed us to return to search again, and who have been so cooperative with us throughout our efforts."
In September, Tingjun Cao, 53, pleaded not guilty to Bao's kidnapping and murder. He was arrested at Christchurch Airport just days after Bao's disappearance and, in mid-August last year, was charged with her murder. He was remanded in custody for trial later this year.
The 44-year-old mother and real estate agent was last seen alive in the suburb of Wigram on July 19, 2023.
A day later, police announced she was missing, and a week after that, her disappearance was upgraded to a homicide investigation.
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