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Chinese police launch manhunt in mass slaying
Police in central China have launched a huge manhunt for a suspected mass killer after finding eight bodies, including a 2-year-old boy and his grandmother, state media reported on Tuesday.
- AP
- Published: 11:34 January 6, 2009
Beijing: Police in central China have launched a huge manhunt for a suspected mass killer after finding eight bodies, including a 2-year-old boy and his grandmother, state media reported on Tuesday.
Police in Hubei province are offering a 50,000 yuan ($7,100) reward for information leading to the arrest of Xiong Zhenlin, a 32-year-old junkyard owner who has been named as the key suspect, the official Xinhua News Agency said.
Authorities found the bodies of Zou Chuanshuo and his grandmother, Zhu Deqing, 43, in their home in Luoyang near Suizhou city on Monday morning. Their fatal wounds suggested the killer had been armed with an ax, Xinhua said.
Police also discovered six other bodies - three men and three women - after searching Xiong's junkyard. The six, aged between 45 to 69, had all been employees at the salvage operation. They also found bloodstained axes and hammers on the premises.
A police spokesman said Xiong's mother called police early Monday, saying he could not be found, according to Xinhua.
On Tuesday, an officer at the local Suizhou police department confirmed the search was ongoing.
"We're using about 200 police, and we're doing our utmost to catch the killer," said the police officer, who refused to give his name because he had not been authorized to speak with media.
Neighbours told police that Xiong had divorced his wife three months ago, hoping to marry Zhu, who was widowed. However, she reportedly rejected him, Xinhua said.
Autopsies were conducted on Monday but results have not been released yet.
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