Sydney Couple 'Targeted' in 'Double Murder' Over Possible 'Financial Debts' as Second Body Is Found: Reports

Mar. 15, 2025

Zhuojun ‘Sally’ Li; Jai-Bao ‘Rex’ Chen.Photo:NSW Police

NSW Police

Australian homicide detectives are investigating the suspected “targeted double murder” of a Sydney couple.

On Tuesday, Dec. 17., New South Wales (NSW) police confirmed a second body had been found in the Sydney suburb of Botany near where the remains of Zhuojun “Sally” Li, 33, were discovered “wrapped in plastic” on Monday, Dec. 9.

While Li’s husband, Jai-Bao “Rex” Chen, also 33, remains missing, police confirmed that a second body had been found around 2 p.m. local time on Dec. 17.

The remains have yet to be formally identified, but NSW Police Homicide Squad Commander, Detective Superintendent Danny Doherty, said in anews conference shared with PEOPLEon Tuesday, Dec. 17. that there is a “strong likelihood and assumption” that the body found is that of Chen.

Zhuojun ‘Sally’ Li.NSW Police

Doherty told reporters that detectives are treating the case as a “targeted double murder,” stating that Chen’s next of kin in Taiwan had been informed amid the ongoing investigation.

Doherty said that the second body had been found in a creek covered in bush foliage and undergrowth and had “been there for some time.”

“One of the motives possibly could be financial debts,” he told reporters, adding, “They owed money.”

Doherty said there was “no other criminality” that police were aware of, and that police were working with Chinese and Taiwanese authorities, as they believe the two or more suspects had fled overseas.

Jai-Bao ‘Rex’ Chen.NSW Police

Li moved to Australia from China 20 years ago, while Chen is originally from Taiwan, according to Australian newspaper theSydney Morning Herald.

Doherty also confirmed the police’s working theory that more than one person had targeted the couple.

Per the detective, police have a “strong theory” that the alleged murders took place inside the couple’s Greenacre home, before their bodies were dumped.

In a Dec. 14news release, police confirmed Li’s body had been identified after she was reported missing to Parramatta Police Area Command when her mother had been unable to reach her.

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The couple was last seen together in late November, according to theSydney Morning Herald.

source: people.com