By KHT Staff
TAIPEI — Taipei police on Saturday transferred a 37-year-old man surnamed Zhou (周) to the Shilin District Prosecutors Office on suspicion of killing his 39-year-old girlfriend, surnamed Zheng (鄭), after officers found her remains near Pingjing Street on Yangmingshan, the United Daily News reported.
Investigators said Zhou admitted using a rope to strangle Zheng during an argument and leaving her body in vegetation in the mountain area. The reported admission and police allegations have not been tested in court.
According to NextApple News, Zheng met Zhou online and later moved into his home in Sanchong District (三重區), New Taipei City. The couple reportedly argued repeatedly over money and other relationship issues.
Police have not established a final motive. Zhou reportedly told investigators that he suspected Zheng was involved with another man, while reports also cited financial and personal disputes between the couple.
Messages preceded disappearance
On Sunday, Aug. 16, Zheng messaged her younger sister that she intended to break up with Zhou, leave his Sanchong home and stay with her sister. Later that evening, Zheng said she was going to Yangmingshan with Zhou. Her family did not hear from her again.
Zheng’s sister posted appeals for help online and reported her missing. Police reviewed surveillance footage and reconstructed Zhou’s vehicle movements, finding that the car remained on Yangmingshan for nearly three hours during the relevant period.
Zhou initially told police that Zheng had left the car after an argument and that he did not know where she had gone, according to the reports.
Officers searched the mountain and, during a second search, found Zheng’s remains in vegetation near an agricultural road in the Pingjing Street area. Police said Zhou admitted involvement after investigators informed him that they had found her.
Alleged actions after disappearance examined
The United Daily News, citing police, reported that Zhou later filed a missing-person report, returned Zheng’s belongings to her family and reset his Line messaging account. Investigators are examining whether those actions were intended to conceal the alleged crime.
Police detained Zhou on Friday, Sept. 11. He was transferred to Shilin prosecutors for further questioning on suspicion of murder on Saturday afternoon. Prosecutors and police were continuing to investigate the sequence of events and motive.
People in Taiwan experiencing domestic violence can call the 113 Protection Hotline. Anyone in immediate danger should call police at 110.
Map: View the Pingjing Street area in Shilin District on Google Maps
