Man found guilty of murdering housemate, hiding body in toolbox on Brisbane balconyBy Talissa SigantoTopic:Homicide1h ago1 hours agoTue 13 May 2025 at 2:42amThe Newport building in Hamilton, in Brisbane's north, where Ms Yan's body was found in July 2021. (ABC News: Michael Rennie)In short:The body of 29-year-old Qiong Yan was found in a toolbox on an apartment verandah in Hamilton, in Brisbane's north, in July 2021.Her housemate — 30-year-old Yang Zhao — has been found guilty of murdering Ms Yan and keeping her body hidden while he impersonated her.What's next?Zhao will be sentenced to the minimum life in jail at a sentencing hearing.abc.net.au/news/yang-zhao-murder-trial-body-toolbox/105286294Link copiedShareShare articleA man who killed his housemate and kept her body hidden in a toolbox on their Brisbane apartment balcony while he impersonated her for several months has been found guilty of murder.Yang Zhao faced a two-week trial in the Supreme Court in Brisbane charged over the death of Qiong Yan in Hamilton in September 2020.The 30-year-old pleaded guilty to interfering with Ms Yan's corpse, but not guilty to her murder claiming she died by accident.Ms Yan's mother, 67-year-old Rongmei Yan, celebrated in the dock when the guilty verdict was handed down. (ABC News)The trial heard he killed the 29-year-old and then posed as Ms Yan, including in messages on social media app WeChat.The court heard he convinced Ms Yan's mother to send more than $400,000 to a bank account he had access to in the months after her death.Qiong Yan, 30, was reported missing on April 12, 2021. (Supplied: Queensland Police Service)He also transferred Ms Yan's car, worth more than $300,000, into his own name.After deliberating for two hours the jury returned a guilty verdict.Ms Yan's mother and other supporters celebrated in the dock while Zhao nodded his head.Zhao will face a sentencing hearing shortly where he will receive the minimum sentence of life in jail.Posted 1h ago1 hours agoTue 13 May 2025 at 2:42am, updated 1h ago1 hours agoTue 13 May 2025 at 3:01amShare optionsCopy linkFacebookX (formerly Twitter)Top Stories'We should all share responsibility': Sussan Ley says of Liberals' election resultLIVEPhoto shows Susan Ley talks while standing behind a lectern. Behind her is an Australian flag.Sussan Ley becomes first woman to lead Liberal PartyTopic:ElectionsPhoto shows Sussan Ley smiles as she walks down a corridor.No matter how he spins it, this is a major capitulation from TrumpAnalysis by Carrington ClarkePhoto shows A close up of Donald Trump's face as he looks over his shoulder with a casual expression.Why the Reserve Bank is wary of rocketing real estate pricesIAnalysis by Ian VerrenderPhoto shows A man walks past two terrace housesGirl in 24/7 care 'so far gone' she may die from sexual exploitationTopic:Child AbusePhoto shows A woman rushing in a hospital corridor.Related storiesMurder accused told police he was 'tired of pretending' to be his alleged victimTopic:CourtsPhoto shows An image of Qiong Yan released by Queensland policeMum was allegedly tricked into sending money to man charged with daughter's murderTopic:CourtsPhoto shows Sign for Brisbane Courts precinct - Queen Elizabeth II Courts of Law, including Magistrates, District and Supreme courts.Police seek extradition of man in NSW after body found in box in Brisbane apartmentTopic:HomicidePhoto shows Newport Hamilton Apartments on Brisbane's riversideRelated topicsBrisbaneCourtsHomicideTop Stories'We should all share responsibility': Sussan Ley says of Liberals' election resultTopic:Government and PoliticsPhoto shows Susan Ley talks while standing behind a lectern. Behind her is an Australian flag.Sussan Ley becomes first woman to lead Liberal PartyTopic:ElectionsNo matter how he spins it, this is a major capitulation from TrumpAnalysis by Carrington ClarkeWhy the Reserve Bank is wary of rocketing real estate pricesIAnalysis by Ian VerrenderGirl in 24/7 care 'so far gone' she may die from sexual exploitationTopic:Child AbuseJust InNeighbours describe bloody scene after unit block stabbingTopic:Stabbings11m ago11 minutes agoTue 13 May 2025 at 4:26amDeadly mushrooms seen near Erin Patterson's town months before lunch, court hearsTopic:Law, Crime and Justice18m ago18 minutes agoTue 13 May 2025 at 4:19amDo you really need a credit card before applying for a home loan? Topic:Explainer21m ago21 minutes agoTue 13 May 2025 at 4:15amAlan Jones evidence 'contradictory' to indecent assault claims, court toldTopic:Courts13m ago13 minutes agoTue 13 May 2025 at 4:23amMore Just InBack to top