Family of Chinese scholar abducted in Illinois to speak
ASSOCIATED PRESS
This undated file photo provided by the University of Illinois Police Department shows Yingying Zhang. The parents of Zhang, a Chinese woman who was abducted while studying at the University of Illinois plan to speak at a news conference, today, for the first time since an arrest in the case was made.
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. >> The parents of a Chinese woman who was abducted while studying at the University of Illinois plan to speak for the first time since an arrest was made.
Investigators have said they believe 26-year-old Yingying Zhang is dead, although her body hasn’t been found. The (Champaign) News-Gazette reports that Zhang’s mother and younger brother flew to Illinois on Saturday. Her father and boyfriend have been in the U.S. since June 17.
Brendt Christensen is accused of kidnapping Zhang on June 9 in Urbana, 140 miles southwest of Chicago. Investigators say Zhang was abducted after she left campus to sign an apartment lease. They believe Christensen lured her into his car.
He has pleaded not guilty.
