Police hunt for clues in Newcastle double murder

A young Chinese couple were killed in an horrific double murder in their ground floor flat in Newcastle's west end during Friday and Saturday. Police are baffled about the motive and have ruled out gangs or drugs in their hunt for those responsible.

Xi Zhou and Zhen Xing Yang, both 25, described as friendly and vivacious, died in a wild knife frenzy. The police are now using an offender profiler to help find their killer.

Xi Zhou and her boyfriend Zhen Xing Yang had both studied at Newcastle University. Detectives have found bus CCTV images of Miss Xi as she travelled home from work on Thursday. She was a waitress at Wagamama in Eldon Square.

Police revealed that Mr Zhen suffered extensive bruising to his arms before he died as he had been assaulted for more than an hour before the fatal stabbing. Surely, some passer-by would have heard his screams.

A post-mortem examination revealed Miss Xi suffered asphyxiation as well as being brutally stabbed during the attack. Their pet cat was also drowned in the bathroom, and police are hoping that this could also provide clues to the motive behind the murders.

The couple first met whilst taking Masters Degrees at Newcastle University, graduating in September 2006. Since then Miss Xi, known as Cici, had worked at the Wagamama restaurant. Mr. Zhen's occupation is not yet known to detectives investigating this perplexing case.

Meanwhile, the section of road around number 8 Croydon Road remains cordoned off so that forensic scientists can continue their exhaustive search of the scene. When asked this afternoon if there were any new clues, a police spokesman said, "No more than we knew earlier. We are appealing for witnesses who may have heard anything and we are anxious to trace the couple's movements during Thursday and Friday." House to house enquiries continue to be made.

Tim Pickford-Jones, Wednesday 13th August, 2008.