Key Takeaways
- Shulai Wang, a 70‑year‑old Chinese woman, was found dead in Gulf Harbour wrapped in rubbish bags two years before the trial.
- The Crown alleges she was detained in a suitcase or similar container at the defendants’ Orewa garage, denied food and medication, and later died from undisclosed causes.
- Forensic scientist Rian Morgan‑Smith testified that a blood‑stained foam board (30‑40 cm square) was discovered inside a porta‑cot; the stains appeared to be from vomiting and showed signs of attempted cleaning.
- Luminol testing in the garage laundry area yielded four small positive reactions, but further blood analysis was inconclusive; no visible blood was found on the white Mercedes van linked to Kaixiao Liu.
- Liu and Xiao were arrested at Auckland International Airport on 30 June 2024 after a Customs alert; Liu refused to provide passwords for digital devices during a later search warrant, citing fatigue and headache.
- The defence highlighted the inconclusive nature of the blood tests and questioned whether such results could be recorded as evidence.
- The trial continues in the Auckland High Court, with the Crown maintaining that Wang was unlawfully confined and deprived of care before her death.
Background of the Case
The prosecution centres on the death of Shulai Wang, a 70‑year‑old Chinese national who travelled to New Zealand seeking religious instruction from Kaixiao Liu. Wang’s body was discovered by a fisherman in Gulf Harbour two years prior to the trial, wrapped in multiple layers of rubbish bags. The Crown alleges that Wang was unlawfully confined in a suitcase or similar container stored in the defendants’ Orewa garage, where she was denied food, medication, and basic necessities before her death. Liu, his wife Lanyue Xiao, his mother Xiuyun Li, and his father Jingui Liu have all pleaded not guilty to charges of kidnapping and manslaughter. The case hinges on forensic evidence collected from the Orewa property, particularly items found in a tent, a porta‑cot, and the garage area.
Discovery of the Body
When Wang’s remains were recovered, investigators noted the unusual packaging: the body was encased in several rubbish bags, suggesting an attempt to conceal or transport it. The location—Gulf Harbour—was not far from the defendants’ residence in Orewa, prompting police to focus their search on the Liu family’s property. The discovery prompted a thorough examination of the garage, garden, and living spaces for any items that might have been used to restrain or move Wang. Notably, a suitcase and several large boxes were found in the garage, items that the Crown later argued could have served as makeshift detention containers.
Forensic Examination of the Orewa Property
Rian Morgan‑Smith, a forensic scientist from Public Health and Forensic Science (formerly ESR), visited the defendants’ Orewa home in July 2024 alongside police. He reported that a tent had been pitched on the deck, and bags of garden stones were present—items that were later compared to materials found on Wang’s body. Inside the tent, officers located a pram, a porta‑cot wrapped in a plastic bag, another plastic bag containing foam boards, a mattress, and a blue plastic sheet. Morgan‑Smith noted that no blood stains were evident on the porta‑cot itself, but further inspection of the foam boards revealed significant findings.
Analysis of Blood‑Stained Foam Boards
The two foam boards, referred to in court exhibits as the “base,” were found attached with Blu Tack. When separated, an area of blood stains measuring roughly 30‑40 cm square was exposed, although the outer surfaces of the boards showed no visible blood. Morgan‑Smith suggested the stains could originate from vomiting. Additionally, the boards exhibited surface damage consistent with something rubbing across them while they were soft or wet, which he interpreted as a possible attempt to clean the blood. No other biological material was identified on the boards, and the scientist could not determine the age of the stains during cross‑examination.
Vehicle and Garage Testing
Further forensic checks extended to the garage laundry area and two vehicles on the property, including the white Mercedes van that police linked to Kaixiao Liu via CCTV footage from Gulf Harbour Marina and a nearby petrol station. Luminol testing in the garage laundry produced four small areas that reacted positively for blood, but subsequent confirmatory tests were inconclusive, leaving the presence of blood uncertain. The Mercedes van, despite being tied to Liu’s movements, showed no visible blood staining when examined. Morgan‑Smith emphasized that, while some tests indicated possible blood, none provided definitive anatomical evidence of a cause of death.
Arrest and Police Interactions
Detective Sergeant Mark Renfree testified that he arrested Kaixiao Liu and Lanyue Xiao at Auckland International Airport on 30 June 2024 after receiving a Customs alert. Liu initially provided an address in Royal Oak when asked for personal details. Two months later, at the end of August, officers executed a second search warrant at the Liu residence in Orewa. During this warrant, police requested passwords for digital devices found in the house; Liu declined, stating he was tired, had slept little, and suffered a headache. He repeated his refusal when asked again and inquired about the placement of police surveillance devices at the property, to which Renfree could not provide specifics. Another officer, Liwei Guo, corroborated that Liu had multiple opportunities to comply but refused, reportedly pleading, “Please help us. This is a devastating blow to us.” Liu was also charged with failing to meet obligations relating to a computer‑system search.
Defendants’ Statements and Legal Proceedings
During cross‑examination of Morgan‑Smith, Kaixiao Liu questioned whether inconclusive blood‑test results could be recorded as evidence of blood. The forensic scientist affirmed that such results would not be recorded as proof of blood presence. Liu further clarified Morgan‑Smith’s role, asking if the scientist’s duty was to assist police enquiries rather than to judge the truth of the police theory; Morgan‑Smith confirmed that his function was strictly to provide scientific assistance, not to determine guilt or innocence. The defence has stressed the lack of a clear anatomical cause of death and the ambiguous nature of the forensic findings, arguing that the prosecution’s case relies heavily on circumstantial evidence.
Current Status of the Trial
The trial remains ongoing in the Auckland High Court, with both the Crown and the defence presenting competing narratives about Wang’s final days. The Crown maintains that Wang was unlawfully confined, deprived of essential care, and ultimately died as a result of that mistreatment. The defence continues to challenge the reliability and interpretation of the forensic evidence, particularly the blood‑stained foam boards and the inconclusive garage luminol results. As the proceedings continue, the court will weigh the scientific testimony, police investigative actions, and the defendants’ statements to determine whether the charges of kidnapping and manslaughter are proven beyond reasonable doubt. The outcome will hinge on whether the jury finds sufficient proof that Wang was detained in a suitcase or similar container and that her death resulted from unlawful confinement.