Supplied Content
Auckland, September 24, 2021
Police investigating the death of Lena Zhang Harrap have charged a man with Murder.
A large team of investigators worked hard to identify anyone involved in the death of Lena, who was located deceased in Mt Albert on Wednesday, September 22, 2021.
Police received a significant amount of information from the public following an appeal yesterday (September 23, 2021) to help identify a person of interest to this investigation.
Arrest in Papatoetoe
As a result of enquiries into this information by Police, a male was located in a vehicle in Papatoetoe at around 1.30 am and was arrested.
The man, aged 31, has been charged with murder and sexual violation and appeared in the Auckland District Court today.
The accused did not enter any plea and was remanded into custody. He has been given name suppression until he appears in court again on October 13, 2021.
The Police have notified Lena’s family, who we are continuing to support at this extremely difficult time.
Community assured
Detective Inspector Aaron Pascoe said that the news of this arrest will provide some reassurance to the Mt Albert community.
“This was a sickening and senseless attack on a vulnerable member of our community, which we know disturbed and angered a lot of people.
“While nothing will bring Lena back to her family, we hope today’s arrest provides a degree of comfort and reassurance knowing the person allegedly responsible for her brutal murder is in custody where he belongs. We want to acknowledge and thank the public for their assistance in providing valuable information which led to an arrest in this homicide investigation,” he said.
Police are not currently seeking anyone else in relation to this matter, although enquiries are ongoing into this investigation.
“We are appealing for anyone with sightings of a white Hyundai station wagon, registration EGZ962, since Wednesday, September 22, 2021. Anyone who saw this vehicle over the past few days may please contact the Operation Daleyza investigation team on 0800-325399,” Detective Inspector Pascoe said.
