Gulf Harbour homicide: Identities of manslaughter accused revealed

Wednesday, 15 April 2026

The four people charged with manslaughter after a woman’s body was pulled out of Auckland’s Gulf Harbour can now be named.

On March 12, 2024 a fisherman reeled in Shulai Wang’s body, wrapped in multiple layers of black bin bags.

Extensive inquiries were then carried out to identify the victim before she was named in October.

Then, 241 days after Wang’s body was found, Acting Detective Inspector Tim Williams announced a 37-year-old man, a 36-year-old woman and a 61-year-old woman had been charged in relation to Wang’s kidnapping and death.

They are Kaixiao Liu and his wife Lanyue Xiao. Liu’s mother Xiuyun Li was also charged before her husband Jingui Liu was later charged in 2025.

They were declined name suppression at the High Court, however appealed that decision to the Court of Appeal.

A decision was released on Wednesday refusing them name suppression. The reasons why are suppressed.

The four, who are representing themselves, are set to go to trial over Wang’s death next month and have previously pleaded not guilty.

Kaixiao Liu and Lanyue Xiao are also facing charges of attempting to pervert the course of justice by allegedly communicating with and directing Wang’s son to make a false statement to police.

Police previously said Wang arrived in New Zealand from China in August 2023.

“I appreciate that there will no doubt still be a lot of questions about what happened to Mrs Wang, but as the matter is now before the courts we are limited in what we can say.”

The complex and long-running investigation is far from over, Williams said.

“I would like to acknowledge the investigation team who has worked painstakingly to provide answers for Mrs Wang’s family.

“I would also like to thank the dozens of other people outside of the inquiry team who have assisted us, including members of the public who contacted police with information.”