Charges upgraded to second-degree murder as remains ID'd as missing Markham woman
Ying Zhang disappeared on July 25
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York Regional Police have now laid charges of second-degree murder and indignity to a body against a man after confirming human remains found earlier this week were a missing woman.
Changlin Yang, 26, of East Gwillimbury, was previously charged with kidnapping, forcible confinement and aggravated assault in the case of Ying Zhang, a 57-year-old Markham woman who disappeared from a wellness centre on July 25.
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York Police Const. James Dickson said the human remains found Monday around 5 p.m. by members of the Search and Rescue Team who were conducting a ground search in the area of Palestine and Fenel Rds. in Kirkfield in Kawartha Lakes were confirmed by the Chief Coroner’s Office to be Zhang.
“So the indignity to a human body charge is a direct result of Ying Zhang being placed inside this green garbage bin and being driven out to Kawartha and then being discarded in the bushes next to the side of the road,” said Dickson.
“Based on the area where our searches conducted and where Ms. Zhang was located, it’s believed this spot was chosen due to its isolated nature.”
The suspect vehicle, a white Ford van, was last seen in the area of Woodbine Ave. and Steelcase Rd. in Markham at the time of Zhang’s disappearance around 10:40 a.m. on July 25 from a wellness centre where she worked.
A suspect was also seen with a large, green wheeled bin.
“At the wellness centre, in the area of Woodbine and Steelcase, investigators did find evidence that an assault had taken place and as we previously stated the indication from the evidence obtained was that it was serious enough that if medical treatment was not sought it could result in death,” said Dickson.
Police are still working to determine the relationship between the accused and the deceased and couldn’t say if he was a customer at the wellness centre, worked there or if Yang knew Zhang previously.
“This is something we’re hoping to fully understand in the coming weeks,” said Dickson.
“While it’s obviously a very appalling offence to have taken place and this is something that has shaken a community to its core, we do believe this to be an isolated incident and we don’t believe that there’s any concern for public safety. At this time there is no indication of any other victims.”
When asked if Yang acted alone or had an accomplice, Dickson said it was still early in the investigation.
“It’s still very early days into a murder inquiry. While we have arrested only one person at this time, we are always looking to where the evidence is going to be pointing us. If there is any indication that any additional parties are responsible for this, they will also be charged.”
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Dickson said the white van has been processed by police forensically but investigators are seeking additional witnesses who were in this area at the time or who may have seen the suspect or vehicle in the area of Kirkfield in Kawartha Lakes.
Anyone with information is asked to contact the Homicide Unit at 1-866-876-5423 ext. 7865, or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS.
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