A 26-year-old East Gwillimbury man has been charged with second-degree murder in connection to the death of a 57-year-old woman from Markham on Aug. 1.
York Regional Police upgraded charges against Changlin Yang after human remains were located in the area of Palestine Road and Fenel Road in Kawartha at about 5 p.m. on July 29. The office of the chief coroner has identified the deceased as Ying Zhang.
Yang was previously charged with kidnapping, forcible confinement, and aggravated assault before the discovery of Zhang.
Investigators previously released images of the accused and of a suspect vehicle, a white Ford van, seen in the area of Woodbine Avenue and Steelcase Road at the time of Zhang’s disappearance, 10:40 a.m. on July 25. A suspect was also seen with a large, green-wheeled bin.
Investigators are seeking additional witnesses who were in this area at the time or who may have seen the suspect or vehicle in the Kirkfield area in Kawartha Lakes.
Anyone with information is asked to contact the homicide unit at 1-866-876-5423 ext. 7865, or send an email, call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS, or leave an anonymous tip online.
