Murder of Zhang Hong Jie
 | This article needs to be updated. (June 2023) |
Zhang Hong Jie | |
|---|---|
| Born | 1979 |
| Died | 2004 (aged 24) Belconnen, Australia |
| Cause of death | murder |
| Body discovered | January 2005 |
| Nationality | Chinese |
| Other names | Steffi Zhang |
Zhang Hong Jie (1979–2004), also known as Steffi Zhang was a 24-year-old International student, studying communications at the University of Canberra in Australia. Her body was found in January 2005 in her Belconnen flat following her murder in June 2004. The circumstances of her death and length of time before her body was discovered made national headlines, sparking debate over the duty of care Australian universities provide to foreign students.[1]
Murder and discovery
[edit]Following an argument between the couple on 10 June 2004, Steffi was strangled by her ex-boyfriend Zhang Long, using a computer cable wrapped twice around her neck and tied at the front.[2] Long rolled her body, which he doused with insecticide and perfume in blankets,[3] before returning home to Dalian in China. In Dalian, Long checked into hotels during the Australian academic term so his parents would believe he was still away studying. He posed as Steffi online sending emails to her friends and family to avoid suspicion that she was missing.[4] The body was not discovered until 12 January 2005, after neighbours alerted police to a smell coming from Zhang's flat.[4] Identification of the decomposed remains took six weeks, with ACT Police working with counterparts in China to locate family members and match DNA samples.[5]
Investigation and arrest
[edit]Despite initial reluctance to publicly name him, police quickly identified Zhang Long as their only suspect for the murder.[6] On 27 February 2005 a warrant was issued in the ACT Magistrates court for Long's arrest.[4]
With the encouragement of his father, Long surrendered to authorities in China in March, claiming that Steffi's death was accidental. He claimed that during an argument on 9 June 2004, Zhang Hong Jie had struck him on the head with a hammer. In retaliation, he struck her twice with the same hammer and then they grabbed at each other's throats, until she stopped moving. He then claimed he wrapped a computer cable around her neck to drag her body onto a mattress and covered her with a quilt.[4] The coroner would later find that Steffi died of strangulation caused by the cable.[2]
In April 2005, Chief Minister of the Australian Capital Territory Jon Stanhope sought Long's extradition to face charges over the murder. The Federal Government declined to make a formal request to China in the absence of any standing arrangements between the two countries.[7] Long would remain in custody without being charged for several years.
Death penalty controversy
[edit]As of November 2005, Long remained in custody in China but had still not been charged with her murder. Under Chinese law, this would be possible despite the crime occurring overseas. However the ACT Government led by Jon Stanhope expressed reluctance to co-operate with Chinese authorities without a guarantee that any conviction relying on evidence provided by ACT police would not result in the death penalty.[8][9]
The Federal Government of Australia pressured the Australian Capital Territory to cooperate with the Chinese investigation into the murder, as written by a letter from John Howard to Chief Minister Stanhope in May 2005, and another request from Justice Minister Chris Ellison in June. The ACT government does not want to because it may mean Zhang would face a firing squad in China if convicted.[10] The ACT Liberal opposition wanted the Chief Minister to use his Chinese contacts to bring Zhang to 'justice'.[11]
Aftermath
[edit]After the killing, the University of Canberra introduced changes to their policy for international students and management.
See also
[edit]- Amanda Zhao, similar case in Canada
- List of solved missing person cases
- List of unsolved murders
- Murder of Shao Tong, similar case in U.S.
- Trial of Xiao Zhen, similar case in New Zealand
References
[edit]- ^ Shane Green; David Rood (23 May 2005). "Slipping through the safety net". The Age. Retrieved 6 July 2023.
- ^ a b "Boyfriend killed Chinese student: coroner". ABC News. 7 December 2005. Retrieved 6 July 2023.
- ^ Peter Quiddington (2010). "Knowledge and Its Enemies" (PDF). Cambria Press. Retrieved 6 July 2023.
- ^ a b c d "Parents of Chinese student seek justice". english.runsky.com. DalianNews.com. 24 August 2005. Archived from the original on 1 September 2006. Retrieved 7 September 2005.
- ^ "Student murdered and forgotten for seven months". The Sydney Morning Herald. 7 March 2005. Retrieved 5 August 2020.
- ^ Yasmin Scherrer (21 June 2022). "For Seven Months, Zhang Hong Jie's Dead Body Remained Undiscovered Inside Her Own Home". Medium.
- ^ "Stanhope seeks extradition of Chinese murder suspect". ABC News (Online). 6 April 2005. Retrieved 8 July 2023.
- ^ "Debates of the legislative assembly for the Australian capital territory" (PDF). www.hansard.act.gov.au.
- ^ "Parents of Chinese student seek justice". The Sydney Morning Herald. 22 August 2005. Retrieved 13 April 2019.
- ^ Ben Doherty; David McLennan (30 June 2005). "Murder probe stand-off – ACT to defy Feds, Chinese". The Canberra Times. Archived from the original on 9 September 2006. Retrieved 7 September 2005.
- ^ Bill Stefaniak MLA (7 April 2005). "STANHOPE SHOULD UTILISE HIS CHINESE CONTACTS RE MURDER CASE". www.canberraliberals.org.au. Archived from the original on 20 June 2005. Retrieved 7 September 2005.