The initial clues were several highly decomposed, headless body parts found in a dry ditch near a fish pond opposite Baishamen Elementary School. The victim's identity was unknown, making the investigation challenging.
The victim was identified as Chen Haolin, a Taiwanese doctor, through fingerprint matching. His fingerprints were compared with a faxed copy from Taiwanese police, confirming his identity.
Chen Haolin was 53 years old, approximately 1.68 meters tall, slightly overweight, and had fair skin. He was known for his womanizing and stinginess, often posing as a wealthy man to attract women.
The suspected motives included robbery, revenge, or a crime of passion. Chen was known for his womanizing and had left many women feeling deceived, which could have led to personal grudges.
The police focused on a mysterious woman who had called Chen Haolin twice on the day of his disappearance. They traced the calls to public phones and identified a woman named Xiaowei, who lived in a nearby rental area.
The two phone calls, made three hours apart, were crucial in identifying the suspect. The calls were traced to public phones near Chen's location, suggesting the caller was familiar with the area and likely lived nearby.
Xiaowei's sudden departure on January 7, coinciding with Chen's disappearance on January 8, raised suspicions. Additionally, her belongings were completely removed from the rental apartment, further implicating her in the crime.