Body found: Auckland businesswoman was looking forward to living with a new partner

Elizabeth (Ying) Zhong was a grandmother who had been eager to live her life with her new partner, a friend told the Herald.

A body believed to be that of the 55-year-old businesswoman reported missing in Manukau East counties was found yesterday afternoon.

A source told the Herald that the body was lifted from a vehicle a few blocks from his $ 2 million Sunnyhills home, but police did not confirm this.

Police said the identification of the body has not yet been confirmed, but the death is being treated as unexplained and an investigation has been launched.

Detective Inspector Shaun Vickers said an autopsy will be conducted today and police will provide more information when possible.

In its heyday, Zhong was a sponsor of projects and festivals, including the 2017 Asia Pacific Film Festival.

“I’m totally shocked to hear the news that she’s gone,” said the friend, who did not want to be named.

“The last time we met, she introduced me to her new partner and we also talked about her daughter and grandson in Wellington, and she was eager to live her new life.”

Zhong came to New Zealand with her ex-husband and daughter in 1997, and the daughter now works for the Treasury in Wellington.

She separated from her husband in 2017 and has a new partner who is a real estate developer.

Her friend, who is also a business partner, described her as a “smart businesswoman” and was respected by many in the film industry.

The Herald understands that Zhong was also a close associate of the late Jihong Lu, and had been in talks with the controversial theater promoter in the early stages about being part of the failed production of City of 100 Lovers.

Zhong had also actively worked with investors from China and received visiting delegations, such as one from Shanxi that arrived in 2018, in the vineyards he owned.

Police continue to appeal for information, and people are asked to call 105 quoting file number 201128/1909 or Manukau County Police on 09 2611 321 if they have more information.

Zhong was a businesswoman with various managerial positions in companies. She was reported missing from her Sunnyhills home and was last seen Friday afternoon.

Last night, several police cars were seen outside his home after the body was discovered.

Her ex-husband, Frank Fu, told Stuff that he did not know what happened, but that he feared a crime.

“I think … maybe she was murdered,” she was reported to have said.

Zhong has had health problems recently and was the sole owner and director of two wine companies that are now in default: Kennedy Point Vineyard on Waiheke Island and Carrick Wines in Central Otago.

She was also the sole owner and director of the film production company Digital Post Ltd, Digipost Entertainment and associated companies.

Digipost offers computer graphics and animation, movie post-production, sound mixing, and visual effects.

Credits the company has been involved in include Mosely, Ash versus Evil Dad, Mt Zion, Spartacus, Love Birds, and 30 Days of Night.

Their website reads: “Digipost is New Zealand’s most experienced post-production and visual effects company dedicated to bringing our clients’ creative endeavors to life, providing the highest quality services to the film, advertising and advertising industries. television”.

In 2018, Variety reported that Zhong and Digipost were part of a “three-way finance and development agreement” with Southern Light Films and Tim White’s Super Entertainment for the CGI live-action fantasy film Shelved worth up to $ 56 million.

Variety reported that the film is about “two lazy robots who worry about being replaced by humans.” The film, which featured New Zealand-born Shrek director Andrew Adamson, would be a New Zealand-China co-production.