Body of 27-year-old Lena Zhang Harrap found in Mt Albert
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Auckland, September 23, 2021
Police have launched a homicide investigation into the death of a woman who was located deceased in Mt Albert yesterday (September 22, 2021).
Detective Inspector Aaron Pascoe of Auckland City Police said that the body of the female was located in an area of bush off to the side of a walkway between Grand Avenue and Summit Drive in Mt Albert at about 4.30 pm.
“A post-mortem is taking place today and formal identification is yet to be completed. However, Police believe that the deceased is 27-year-old Lena Zhang, also known as Lena Zhang Harrap, who was reported missing yesterday after leaving her Mt Albert home. Lena left her address on Jersey Avenue in Mt Albert at around 630 am to go for her regular walk to Owairaka Domain,” he said.
Description of victim
He appealed to the public to report any sightings of Lena yesterday morning between 630 am and 730 am during her walk.
“Lena is around 130 cms tall and has Down Syndrome. She would have been seen walking at a slow pace. She was wearing a long-sleeved purple top and dark coloured pants,” he said.
Detective Inspector Pascoe said that according to inquiries, the likely route that Lena would have taken is from Jersey Avenue and along Richardson Road, before turning into Grande Avenue where she is sighted on CCTV at around 730 am.
“The Operation Daleyza investigation team has been carrying out a number of enquiries in relation to the death including a scene examination, an area canvass and CCTV enquiries. Our investigation has already identified and spoken with people who saw Lena during her walk yesterday morning. As a result of CCTV enquiries Police are releasing an image of a person of interest to the investigation,” he said.
About the wanted man
This male, who is seen wearing a blue jumper, was captured on CCTV walking along Grande Ave shortly after 7.30 am. He is described as dark-skinned, balding hair, a distinctive mark on his forehead and was wearing a mask.
“We believe that this person can assist our investigation and we are appealing to the public for information relating to this person’s identity so we can locate and speak with them. We are also appealing to anyone who saw Lena or the individual pictured walking in Mt Albert yesterday morning to contact the investigation team. We also want to hear from any residents who live along any of the above streets, including Summit Drive, who have CCTV cameras that may have captured Lena or this male in a blue jumper walking past their property,” Detective Inspector Pascoe said.
Anyone with CCTV is urged to contact the Operation Daleyza investigation team on 0800-325 399. They may also contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800-555111.
Family seeks privacy
Police are working closely with and supporting Lena’s family who are understandably devastated by this news and they are being provided with Victim Support.
Detective Inspector Pascoe said that Lena’s family has requested privacy and asked the media not to contact them at this extremely difficult time.
“We know that the news of this homicide investigation will be distressing to the local community in particular and we want to reassure them that Police have a large investigation team working hard to identify and locate anyone involved in Lena’s death. The local public will see an increased Police presence in the Mt Albert area, and we will be carrying out additional reassurance patrols and area enquiries as we speak to local residents. The walkway between Grande Avenue and Summit Drive remains closed at this time,” he said.
