“Suspicious disappearance” – body found at Blaxlands Ridge confirmed as missing Sydney man

A decomposing body found at Blaxlands Ridge by council workers has been confirmed to be that of missing Sydney man Hongli Qi who disappeared from Sydney back in May.

The council workers found the body on August 16 in bushland near Packer Rd, Blaxlands Ridge.

The remains were confirmed yesterday – Tuesday – as being those of Mr Qi, aged 28, who was last seen by family at Sydney’s Town Hall, about 1pm back on Wednesday May 11.

Homicide Squad detectives are appealing for public assistance as they investigate the suspicious disappearance.

Campsie and Sydney City Police Area Command detectives began initial inquiries into his whereabouts from 6pm on May 11, with CCTV footage sourced of Mr Qi leaving an apartment complex on Sydney’s Macquarie Street.

Local police continued inquiries, before detectives from the State Crime Command’s Homicide Squad took over the investigation under Strike Force Procyon.

At 10.30am on Tuesday August 16, police were called to bushland near Packer Road, Blaxlands Ridge, after reports a decomposing body had been found by the council workers. The body was taken for forensic examination and has since been identified as Mr Qi. Homicide Squad Commander, Detective Superintendent Danny Doherty, said on Tuesday investigators are examining all of Hongli’s movements and interactions in the days leading up to his disappearance.

“Detectives want to talk to anyone who may have spoken to or seen Hongli in the days and weeks before he was last seen,” the Detective Superintendent said.

“His disappearance was completely out of character. His body was found some 80km from where he was last seen.

“We have a strong belief that Hongli has been the victim of foul play.

“Anyone who may have information which could assist detectives is urged to contact us, so we can provide some answers and closure for Hongli’s family,” Det Supt Doherty said.

Anyone with information that may assist Strike Force Procyon investigators is urged to contact Crime Stoppers: 1800 333 000 or https://nsw.crimestoppers.com.au. Information is treated in strict confidence. The public is reminded not to report information via NSW Police social media pages.

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