A suspect charged with the murder of a Toronto-area woman, whose burned remains were discovered earlier this month, has fled Canada, authorities reported Thursday, adding an international dimension to the ongoing investigation.
York Regional Police confirmed that 47-year-old Zhixiong Marko Hu, from Markham, left Canada on August 12, according to the Canada Border Services Agency. Hu has since traveled to Hong Kong, police stated.
“We continue to actively investigate and pursue this case,” said Const. Lisa Moskaluk, a media relations officer for York Regional Police.
The victim, Yuk-Ying Anita Mui, 56, was reported missing by her family on August 9. Her burned remains were found just three days later in Parry Sound, Ontario. Police believe that Mui disappeared from a Stouffville address, where she was involved in a real estate transaction, and was specifically targeted.
York Regional Police have charged Hu with first-degree murder and issued a Canada-wide warrant for his arrest. Authorities are now preparing to request an Interpol red notice, which would call on international law enforcement agencies to assist in locating and arresting Hu.
The extradition agreement between Canada and Hong Kong was suspended in 2020 in response to a set of national security laws imposed by China, giving Hong Kong police increased powers against anti-government protests and activities deemed hostile by China. This suspension may complicate efforts to bring Hu back to Canada.
Despite these challenges, Const. Moskaluk stated that the investigation is continuing in Canada. “We are actively pursuing all leads, and we won’t stop looking into the case,” she said.
In connection with Mui’s case, three teenagers—two 17-year-olds and one 16-year-old—have been charged with firearms and fraud-related offenses. The youths are believed to have used Mui’s credit cards in the Toronto area after her disappearance, though their precise role in the case remains under investigation.
Additionally, investigators have seized a Mercedes-Benz van and a Porsche SUV linked to Hu. They believe that the Porsche may have had a different license plate attached to it around the time of Mui’s disappearance on August 9.
The exact relationship between Hu and Mui remains unclear, but police are continuing their efforts to gather more information about their connection.