20 Jul 2023

Search for missing Christchurch real estate agent Yanfei Bao

7:24 pm on 20 July 2023
Missing real estate agent Yanfei Bao

Photo: Supplied / NZ police

The police are investigating the disappearance of a real estate agent in Christchurch who was out door knocking when she disappeared.

Yanfei Bao, who works at Harcourts Wigram, was last seen on Wednesday in the Wigram area at about 10.30am.

She was reported missing by her husband on Wednesday evening.

Her vehicle, a silver Nissan Dualis, registration PKT556, was found nearby in Iroquois Place, Wigram, police said.

Canterbury Investigations Inspector Nicola Reeves said a team of about 30 investigators were out in the streets around Vickerys Road, trying to piece together Bao's last known movements.

"Our investigators are out in the same area we know she was yesterday knocking on doors to see if anybody remembers her."

Reeves said Bao's family were shocked and concerned, and they did not know of anything in her life that would cause her to disappear.

"This is really out of character for her, shes a working mum, she's in good health, and the fact she didn't turn up at home at the end of the day is of great concern," Reeves said.

"Our main focus is to locate her and get her home to her family safe and well."

Reeves said police were keeping an open mind as to what might have happened.

"We have a lot of questions that we need to get answers for and that's what the investigation team is working through. They are out and about in Wigram, they're knocking on doors, they'll be looking for CCTV, and we're appealing for any sights of Yanfei Bao and her vehicle."

Reeves said police were concerned about Bao's welfare because people rarely went missing for no reason.

Harcourts Wigram branch manager Hamish McLeod said real estate agents across the city had banded together to help search for her.

She was not seen at the office on Wednesday morning, but the nature of real estate was that agents often worked remotely.

Bao's Harcourts profile describes her as new team member.

It said she was previously a top selling salesperson at a major electronics brand, and that she had a Master's Degree in English Linguistics and a Post-Graduate Diploma in Business Management.

The profile said her partner and her daughter were her priority.

Police have asked anyone with information on Bao's whereabouts to call 111 immediately and quote event number P055385539.