A man detained in the suspected murder of a college student was instructed to simulate the burial of the victim’s body at the crime scene yesterday, Taichung prosecutors said.
The victim, a student surnamed Chen, 26, at the School of Continuing Education of Fu Jen Catholic University, went missing in April last year.
Police said that Huang Wen-ching (黃文進), 39, who ran a private investigation agency in Greater Taichung and has been detained for more than two months, confessed to the suspected murder on Friday.
Police said Huang admitted killing Chen and burying her body beside a river in Greater Taichung’s Wujih District (烏日).
After taking Huang to a site where bones confirmed to be Chen’s were found, investigators took the suspect to a mountainous area in Dadu District (大肚) where Chen is thought to have been strangled.
Huang was asked to recreate the alleged crime, including the removal of the victim’s clothes, transport of the corpse to the river and burial.
Investigators said Huang confessed to strangling Chen, who reportedly had an affair with him, during an argument.
The police said they discovered Chen’s final telephone conversation was with Shih Kuan-chih (施坤志) on April 27.
They said Shih told them that he picked up Chen for Huang at Taiwan High Speed Rail’s Chiayi Station that same day.
Shih said he then drove Chen to Huang’s place and left her there.
Police said Shih reported Chen losing consciousness in the car after drinking a beverage prepared by Huang.
Investigators searched Huang’s residence, seizing a pistol, drugs and videos of Huang having sex with several women.
Both Shih and Huang have been detained by the Taichung District Court.
According to the investigators, Chen, who suspected her boyfriend was dating other women, came to Huang’s agency to ask for help.
Huang allegedly told Chen he was a “master” and could do religious rituals for her, but instead allegedly raped her after reportedly drugging her drink, investigators said.
The investigators added that Huang had later blackmailed Chen into a relationship with nude photographs.
Huang reportedly received NT$5 million (US$167,000) from Chen.
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