Thursday 24 November 2011

Acid traces found at home of alleged murderer

Kelly Burns
Thursday, November 24, 2011
© The Cairns Post

Delving: SES volunteers assisted in the search around the home of alleged murder victim Li Pin Cao yesterday, scouring a creek near the Brinsmead property while police explored underground drains. Picture: MARC McCORMACK

The intricate search for the remains of alleged murder victim Li Ping Cao continues with reports acid traces have been found at the Brinsmead property.
 
Police would not comment on the reports or give specific details on the death of the 42-year-old. Yesterday, detectives and scientific officers continued to search underground drains at the woman’s home in a Brinsmead street while SES volunteers scoured a nearby creek. On Tuesday, Ms Cao’s husband of five years, Klaus Andres, was charged with her murder. He was the last person to see Ms Cao alive on October 31.

Her friends reported her missing days later. Last week, Mr Andres made a public plea to help find his wife but the 68-year-old is now in custody and will  appear in court on November 29. Far Northern regional crime co-ordinator Det Insp Bruno Asnicar said the search would cover a wide area and focus on "fine, minute details".  "It will be focusing on the collection of samples and forensic testing," he said.

Yesterday, up to 20 officers were at the crime scene and police would be there until at least the weekend.  Police were still piecing together Ms Cao’s last days and wanted to hear from anyone in the community who had contact with Ms Cao or Mr Andres.

Meanwhile, Ms Cao, who had a teenage son, was remembered by friends as a kind-hearted woman. "She was a lovely lady. She was so friendly and charming," friend Judy Cho said.
Ms Cao, who met her husband when he was holidaying in China, was studying English at TAFE.

Another friend, who asked not to be named, said he had worked with Ms Cao at a Chinese restaurant until she left in September 2010 to go to China and she treated him like a son.
"She was a nice and pretty woman, friendly and talkative, she took her work seriously and had a sense of  humour.  "I felt very warm when working with her. Everyone misses her at work." It is understood Ms Cao’s sister, with whom she was close and in daily contact until she disappeared, is due to arrive in Cairns soon.

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