Police confirmed a body found in the trunk of a car in Iowa City is that of a missing Iowa State University student, and that the person of interest in the case may now be in China.
Tong Shao, 20, was reported missing by Ames Police on September 17, 2014. She was reportedly last heard from September 8, when she was believed to have been in Iowa City.
A Toyota Camry, associated with Shao, was found parked near 2401 Highway 6 East in Iowa City at about 6:30 p.m. Friday, September 26. Police said the found a body in the trunk of that car, and investigators confirmed Monday, September 29 that the body was Ms. Shao.
The cause and manner of her death were not immediately released. Police previously said her death was considered suspicious.
Shao was a junior at Iowa State.
Police were searching for a man who lives near the location where the car was found. Xiangnan Li, 23, was “being sought as a person of interest in this matter as possibly having information regarding the circumstances surrounding the death of Ms. Shao,” said a statement from Iowa City Police.
Police said Li is an international student at the University of Iowa and that he and Shao know each other.
“The Iowa City Police Department has reason to believe that Li has returned to China but are still awaiting official confirmation,” the statement said.
Anyone with information about Tong Shao or Xiangnan Li is asked to call Iowa City Crime Stoppers at 319-358-9477.
