Police name murdered Chinese students
Two Chinese students were murdered in Newcastle over the weekend
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Monday, 11, Aug 2008 03:41
Northumbria police have named the two Chinese students found dead in a Newcastle flat on Saturday.
The bodies of Xi Zhou and her boyfriend Zhen Xing Yang, both 25, were found at around 16:30 BST in a flat on Croydon Road.
Zhen Xing Yang was found lying on a bed in the rear bedroom of the property, while Xi Zhou was found lying on a bed in the front bedroom.
A post-mortem revealed that the pair had sustained significant head injuries with Ms Xi having also been suffocated.
Police said that both victims suffered a violent attack using a sharp-edged instrument and knife.
Reports claim a silver car parked close to the flat was taken away by police in a lorry on Sunday.
Police say Ms Xi, also known as Ci Ci, was a waitress at a Wagamama's Restaurant in Old Eldon Square, Newcastle.
"She is described as a reliable, hard working member of staff who had a bubbly personality and was a joy to work with," a police statement said.
In terms of a motive for the attack, Northumbria police 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."
Police are appealing for anyone with any information relating to the incident to contact them on 03456 043043.