The partner of a woman missing for 17 months has appeared in an Auckland court charged with her murder.
Cissy Chen with family members on One Tree Hill in Auckland. Photo: SUPPLIED
The remains of Cissy Chen, 44, were found in Totaravale Park on the North Shore in March this year.
Police arrested Yun Qing Liu, known as Jack, on Wednesday morning and he appeared briefly in the North Shore District Court later in the day assisted by a Mandarin interpreter.
The 57-year-old was among those who gathered at the park for a blessing on 1 April.
He was also the person that reported her missing in November 2012, when he said she had not returned from a walk on the beach.
Mr Liu has been remanded in custody to appear at the High Court in Auckland on 30 April.
Peter, left, and Philip Chen thanked those who have helped with the inquiry into their sister's disappearance. Photo: RNZ / Mani Dunlop
Outside court, Ms Chen's brother Philip Chen thanked everyone who helped with the inquiry.
"Finally, my sister Cissy's soul can now rest in peace. We would like to thank the people who helped the police investigation and the lawnman who found Cissy's body."
Mr Chen said his sister had come to love her life in New Zealand very much and the family said she would be buried on the North Shore.
"Cissy has always been a very kind and a gentle person and this has been very, very had for all our family to take in. We really miss her very much."
