Li Zhao, the West Vancouver man accused of interfering with a body in connection with a death in the British Properties last weekend, has now been charged with second-degree murder in the case.
Const. Jeff Palmer, spokesman for the West Vancouver Police Department, said he could not provide any additional comment on the murder charge.
Late May 2, Vancouver police received information that a violent confrontation had occurred at Zhao’s British Properties home at 963 King George’s Way earlier that day. West Vancouver officers, with the help of the Vancouver Police Department, then immediately secured the area around the home.
Palmer said Zhao was arrested early Sunday morning without incident and an investigation into the death was launched.
The 42-year-old victim, Gang Yuan, was reportedly Zhao’s wife’s cousin, according to acting duty counsel David Forsyth.
“I’m advised that they were in some sort of business relationship,” he said.
Palmer could not provide further details about the altercation, but did say there is still a possibility of more charges. The forensic team, which spent days combing the scene of the crime, has since left the property, Palmer added.
The charge of interfering with a dead body, laid against Zhao earlier this week, is connected to allegations Zhao cut up his victim after death.
The 54-year-old is scheduled to appear in North Vancouver provincial court on Monday, May 11.
