Friends and family of Yanfei Bao, who was killed in Christchurch in July last year, have gathered to remember her.<\/p>\n
The 44-year-old mother and real estate agent was last seen on her way to show a house to a prospective client, and her body was found a year later in farmland on the outskirts of Christchurch.<\/p>\n
Chinese national Tingjun Cao is on trial in the High Court at Christchurch, accused of her murder.<\/p>\n
A funeral service was held for her on Monday, with the organisers saying they wanted to remember her beautiful life and incredible accomplishments.<\/p>\n
About 100 people gathered at Our Lady of Victories church in Sockburn on a sunny but blustery day.<\/p>\n
One of those at the ceremony was Jin Tian, who became friends with Yanfei Bao in 2018 when they went to the University of Canterbury together.<\/p>\n
The pair had stayed in touch, with Jin talking to Yanfei on the day she went missing.<\/p>\n
She said it was lovely to hear Yanfei’s family, friends, workmates and neighbours speak about her.<\/p>\n
The eulogy delivered by Yanfei’s partner, Paul Gooch – in which he spoke of his love for Yanfei – was very moving, she said.<\/p>\n
“His love for Yanfei will live forever, and that Yanfei was the light of the family. He spoke very highly of Yanfei, and that she loved life.”<\/p>\n
The service also heard from Yanfei’s father, who along with Yanfei’s sister is currently visiting from China.<\/p>\n
She said he expressed his heartfelt gratitude to the community, and to the police for their hard work on the investigation.<\/p>\n
“He is shattered and heart-broken.”<\/p>\n
Jin said she remembers Yanfei Bao as a wonderful friend, who smiled often and was hard working.<\/p>\n
“One of the smartest I’d say. And she’s a lovely mother, and she’s a friend.”<\/p>\n
The service ended with the hymn “Amazing Grace”, which could be heard ringing out from the church.<\/p>\n
The trial of the man accused of murdering Yanfei Bao is currently underway in the High Court in Christchurch, but was halted on Monday due to a juror being unwell.<\/p>\n
It had already been subject to a number of delays, and two weeks ago the accused, Tingjun Cao, fired his lawyers and had been representing himself.<\/p>\n
~RNZ<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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