Yang Zhao is accused of killing his flatmate, Qiong Yan, before keeping up the pretence she was alive by messaging her family and friends for months before her body was found
A man allegedly strangled his flatmate and hid her body in a box on their balcony for nearly a year, a court heard.
Yang Zhao, 30, is accused of murdering 29-year-old Qiong Yan and fooling police and her mother that she was alive and well for 10 months before her remains were eventually discovered. Zhao is said to have sent thousands of texts to her friends and family from the victim’s phone, as well as withdrawing thousands of Australian dollars from her bank accounts. He also convinced Ms Yan’s mother to send yet more money before police discovered her body in a box on the balcony of their flat in Brisbane, Australia.
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Zhao denies the charge of murder and told police: “I didn’t kill anyone.”
News.com.au reported the Supreme Court heard how the pair had been inhaling nitrous oxide on the night Ms Yan died. He fell asleep on the sofa before going to use the bathroom. When he returned he saw his flatmate lying on her stomach.
When he checked he found she was cold to the touch and had blood on her face. Terrified he was going to be blamed, he decided not to tell police.
Zhao told proceedings: “We were best of friends … like sister and brother.
“She wanted me to give her some tissues, but I couldn’t stand up at the time so I threw them at her.
“She felt it was a little bit too hot on the sofa, so she moved down to lie in front of the television.
“I noticed her body was very cold … there was blood on her nose and some liquid that had just dried. I was panicked.
“I was worried I would get in trouble. After I saw her like that, I worked out nothing I could do would make a difference. I used the quilt cover to cover her.”
Zhao’ lawyer, Andrew Hoare, said his client would accept he communicated with Ms Yan’s mother and others to pretend she was still alive in a “selfish” effort to prevent authorities from catching up with him. He added Zhao had “immense shame and guilt” for the “conscious deceit”.
He said: “He will not say he caused the death of Ms Yan by strangling her or striking her.”
The trial continues
