http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/1090676240102_129/?hub=TopStories
CTV.ca News Staff
A new report says police made the breakthrough connection between nine-year-old Cecilia Zhang and her accused killer using fingerprints.
The Toronto Sun says two fingerprints found at Zhang's home matched a third print that was "likely supplied by the Chinese government."
One of the prints was found on a knife in the backyard, while the other possibly came from a kitchen window screen through which Cecilia's abductor gained access to the home, according to police sources.
On Wednesday, 21-year-old Min Chen was charged with first-degree-murder in connection with Cecilia's death. Chen is a Chinese visa student with no criminal record.
Because his prints were not on file with Canadian police, the Chinese government likely stepped in to help Canadian police officers, according to immigration experts.
Police sources said the alleged print match was made more than two months ago. Chen then became the target of intense surveillance by the Cecilia Zhang task force. Chen's visa was set to expire in August. He'll appear in court on August 19.
Cecilia was abducted from her bedroom last October. Despite an intensive search, police found no sign of the little girl. Her remains were found in a Toronto ravine five months later.
Police have said that it appears money may have been the motive behind Cecilia's murder. Sources tell police that the suspect, 21-year-old Min Chen, may have needed money to pay off gambling debts.
They also say Cecilia's case could be a copycat of the kidnapping and murder of Thomas Ku. In 2001, Ku, the millionaire owner of a private school catering to Chinese students, was kidnapped.
His captors made several ransom demands, but no money was ever paid, according to police. Ku's body was found a few weeks later in a remote part of Peterborough.
In that case, two 22-year-olds, Zhiyang Suo and Feng Wang, were sentenced to 15 years in prison.
Police say they're investigating the parallels between Chen's case and that of the two convicted men. All three are from mainland China. All arrived in Canada as visa students in 2000 and 2001 and attended Seneca College.
Investigators also point to the fact that the bodies of both victims were left in isolated areas, and that calls for ransom were reportedly made after the victims' disappearance.
CTV.ca News Staff
A new report says police made the breakthrough connection between nine-year-old Cecilia Zhang and her accused killer using fingerprints.
The Toronto Sun says two fingerprints found at Zhang's home matched a third print that was "likely supplied by the Chinese government."
One of the prints was found on a knife in the backyard, while the other possibly came from a kitchen window screen through which Cecilia's abductor gained access to the home, according to police sources.
On Wednesday, 21-year-old Min Chen was charged with first-degree-murder in connection with Cecilia's death. Chen is a Chinese visa student with no criminal record.
Because his prints were not on file with Canadian police, the Chinese government likely stepped in to help Canadian police officers, according to immigration experts.
Police sources said the alleged print match was made more than two months ago. Chen then became the target of intense surveillance by the Cecilia Zhang task force. Chen's visa was set to expire in August. He'll appear in court on August 19.
Cecilia was abducted from her bedroom last October. Despite an intensive search, police found no sign of the little girl. Her remains were found in a Toronto ravine five months later.
Police have said that it appears money may have been the motive behind Cecilia's murder. Sources tell police that the suspect, 21-year-old Min Chen, may have needed money to pay off gambling debts.
They also say Cecilia's case could be a copycat of the kidnapping and murder of Thomas Ku. In 2001, Ku, the millionaire owner of a private school catering to Chinese students, was kidnapped.
His captors made several ransom demands, but no money was ever paid, according to police. Ku's body was found a few weeks later in a remote part of Peterborough.
In that case, two 22-year-olds, Zhiyang Suo and Feng Wang, were sentenced to 15 years in prison.
Police say they're investigating the parallels between Chen's case and that of the two convicted men. All three are from mainland China. All arrived in Canada as visa students in 2000 and 2001 and attended Seneca College.
Investigators also point to the fact that the bodies of both victims were left in isolated areas, and that calls for ransom were reportedly made after the victims' disappearance.
