Key Takeaways
- Shulai Wang, a 70‑year‑old woman from Hainan, China, was found dead in plastic bags at Gulf Harbour, New Zealand in March 2024; her identity took roughly six months to confirm.
- Four relatives – Kaixiao Liu, his wife Lanyue Xiao, and his parents Xiuyun Li and Jingui Liu – are on trial for Wang’s kidnapping and manslaughter.
- The Crown alleges Wang travelled to New Zealand to receive religious instruction from Liu and died after a failed escape attempt.
- Chunhong Wu, Wang’s youngest son, told police that his mother died of natural causes (“heart disease or failure”) and that she wished to be buried at sea; his statement was later shown to be coached by Liu.
- New Zealand detectives Sha Lin and Beth Bates traveled to Qionghai, Hainan in August 2024 to interview Wang’s Chinese family and verify details.
- The prosecution presented recorded conversations and surveillance audio indicating Liu directed Wu to request the release of Wang’s body and to express guilt over the burial arrangements.
- Wang’s two older sons testified they had been estranged from their parents since 2020 and wanted nothing to do with the repatriation of their mother’s body.
- Defence challenges focused on whether the New Zealand officers understood the seriousness of giving false statements in China and the sensitivity of religion there; officers affirmed both points.
- The trial remains ongoing at the Auckland High Court, with further evidence and cross‑examination expected.
Background of the Case
The case centres on the death of Shulai Wang, a 70‑year‑old woman who originated from Hainan province, China. Her body was discovered wrapped in plastic bags at Gulf Harbour, a coastal suburb north of Auckland, in March 2024. Because the remains were heavily degraded and lacked identification, New Zealand police required about six months to establish her identity through dental records, DNA, and liaison with Chinese authorities. The delay intensified public interest and prompted a formal investigation into possible foul play.
Investigation and Identification
Detectives Sha Lin, a Mandarin‑speaking officer, and Beth Bates led the overseas inquiry. In August 2024 they flew to Qionghai, Hainan, where they observed Chinese police interviewing Wang’s relatives. Their goal was to corroborate the timeline of Wang’s travel to New Zealand, ascertain her health status, and verify the claims made by her family regarding her death. The officers collected statements, reviewed medical records (or the lack thereof), and documented family dynamics that later became pivotal in court.
The Alleged Religious Group
The prosecution describes Liu Kaixiao and his immediate family as leaders of a religious fellowship that, according to police intelligence, encompasses at least 37 families dubbed “family 12.” Wang is said to have journeyed to New Zealand specifically to receive spiritual guidance from Liu. The Crown contends that the group’s activities extended beyond worship, involving logistical support for members’ travel and, allegedly, coercive practices that culminated in Wang’s death.
Family Dynamics and Testimonies
Wang’s youngest son, Chunhong Wu, portrayed his mother as having died from a heart condition and expressed her wish to be buried at sea. He claimed he had known Liu for over a decade and considered him a close friend. Wu stated that his mother had regularly contacted him via Liu’s phone for audio and video calls, and that she appeared fine during their last conversation. In contrast, Wang’s two older sons, Yingfen Wu and Yingzhi Wu, testified they had been estranged from their parents since 2020, wanted no part in repatriating their mother’s body, and deferred responsibility to Wu, the “third born.”
Police Interviews in China
During the overseas interview, Wu told detectives that his mother had jumped over a neighbour’s wall without injury, was returned by others, and later succumbed to a heart ailment exacerbated by the exertion. He recounted a phone call where Wang said she was fine and asked him not to worry. The Crown highlighted inconsistencies: there were no medical records supporting a heart condition, and Wu admitted he had changed phones several times, leaving no verifiable communication log with Liu.
Crown’s Argument
Prosecutor Henry Steele presented surveillance audio from the defendants’ Ōrewa residence, revealing Liu instructing Wu to demand the release of Wang’s body from New Zealand authorities and to express guilt for entrusting the family with her sea burial. Steele argued that Wu’s statement to police—that his mother died of natural causes—was fabricated under Liu’s direction, intended to conceal a kidnapping that led to manslaughter. The Crown also emphasized that Wang had not sought medical care in New Zealand, undermining the heart‑disease claim.
Defense Claims
The defence, led by Liu’s legal team, challenged the credibility of the New Zealand officers’ understanding of Chinese legal nuances. Liu questioned whether the officers appreciated that giving a false statement is a serious offence in China; Lin and Bates affirmed that false statements are treated seriously worldwide. Xiao probed whether the officers recognised religion as a sensitive topic in China; Bates reiterated that Liu’s group was not politically motivated, aiming to dispel any perception of state‑security involvement.
Legal Proceedings and Evidence
Throughout the trial, the court has played recorded phone calls, surveillance footage, and police interview transcripts. The prosecution’s narrative hinges on the claim that Wang’s death resulted from an unsuccessful escape attempt after being held against her will, whereas the defence maintains that her death was purely medical and that any statements to police were voluntary and truthful. The judge has allowed both sides to introduce expert testimony on cardiac health and on the credibility of cross‑border police cooperation.
Current Status of Trial
As of the latest hearing, the Auckland High Court continues to hear evidence. The jury has been presented with a complex web of familial relationships, religious affiliation, and international police collaboration. No verdict has been reached yet, and both prosecution and defence are expected to deliver closing statements in the coming weeks. The outcome will likely hinge on whether the jury finds Wu’s account credible or views it as a coached narrative designed to conceal culpability.
Conclusion
The Shulai Wang case illustrates the challenges of prosecuting transnational crimes where cultural, linguistic, and jurisdictional barriers intersect. It underscores the importance of meticulous international investigative cooperation, the scrutiny of familial testimonies, and the need for courts to weigh medical evidence against allegations of coercion. As the trial progresses, its resolution may set a precedent for how New Zealand addresses similar cases involving overseas religious groups and alleged unlawful detention.