Police accused of covering up murder of US woman in Beijing
Residents of an exclusive Beijing compound say police tried to cover up the murder of an American woman in her home this week by saying she died of a heart attack.
Tina Tai died of multiple stab wounds inside her Le Leman Lake villa - an estate favoured by wealthy expatriates, including many diplomats - in Beijing's Shunyi county on Tuesday, residents say. The killer allegedly used a stolen taxi to evade security.
A resident close to the family said the killer also stole at least 20,000 yuan the woman had withdrawn to pay for furniture due to arrive that day.
A neighbour of the family said the victim's husband, Anthony Tai, who works as an operations support engineer for US energy firm ConocoPhillips, and son, who attends the International School of Beijing, were not allowed back into the home for two days afterwards.
'The management told us the police told them to say she died of a heart attack,' the neighbour said. 'But it is common knowledge that she was murdered.'
Residents suspect a domestic worker may have overheard the husband and wife discussing the money and tipped the thief off.
A member of staff at Leman Lake Property Management confirmed yesterday that police told them not to tell residents about the murder investigation.
An officer at the Criminal Investigation Division under the Beijing Public Security Bureau confirmed an investigation was under way.
Tom Hawkins, director of the International School of Beijing, yesterday afternoon sent an e-mail to parents confirming the murder had taken place and urging them to take security precautions.
'The police have assured us that they are doing everything within their power to investigate the death and to determine what has transpired,' the e-mail read.
'Prudence and good security dictate care with relation to our general surroundings. Among other precautions, make sure there are working door and window locks in your homes and verify the identity of anyone wishing to enter your residence before opening the door.'
