AUSTRALIAN police have informed the Chinese Consulate-General in Sydney that the missing female Chinese national Yu Qi is suspected dead, authorities said Wednesday.

The victim’s family in China had requested consular assistance, the Consulate-General said in a statement Wednesday.

The Consulate-General had urged the Australian police to step up efforts to solve the case as soon as possible, the statement said.

Yu, 28, last made contact with her family in China at about

7:15 p.m. last Friday (June 8). The police later located her white Toyota Corolla car in New South Wales near the Campsie area where she was staying, according to the Australian authorities.

A 19-year-old man has been charged with murder amid the investigation into Yu’s disappearance, state police said.

Staff from the Consulate-General met Yu’s family Tuesday at a local police station and helped attend to their needs.

The Consulate-General said it will continue to work with the police and Yu’s family to facilitate the investigation of the case and protect the legal rights and interests of Chinese citizens. 

(Xinhua)