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New photo released in suspicious death of 17-year-old B.C. boy

Wenyan Michael Zhao's last known location in Langley is about 19 kilometres from where he was discovered dead in Surrey.
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Wenyan Michael Zhao, 17, was last seen leaving Willowbrook Mall in Langley on July 18, 2024.

An investigation into the suspicious death of a Langley teen continues with police releasing new details. 

Wenyan Michael Zhao, 17, left his family house at 9 p.m. on July 18 and was reported missing five hours later. 

A large search for Zhao started with Surrey RCMP, Abbotsford Police and Metro Vancouver Transit Police. Details uncovered by police led them to 180 Street and 98 Avenue in Surrey.

Police in Surrey discovered a deceased person in the 17900-block of 99A Avenue, which is a residential area. 

The Integrated Homicide Investigation Team (IHIT) says the death appears to be an isolated event with no connections to the B.C. gang conflict. 

“This remains a suspicious death,” said Cpl. Esther Tupper.

“Investigators are still working diligently to build a timeline of Michael Zhao’s movements on the evening he was last seen alive.”

Police have now confirmed that Zhao was last seen leaving Willowbrook Mall in Langley at 9:44 p.m. That's about 19 kilometres from where police found his body.

At the time, he was wearing a tan and brown-coloured T-shirt with "Nike" on the front in white writing, dark shorts with tan trim on the bottom and sneakers. 

IHIT investigators are looking for where Zhao travelled between 9 p.m. July 18 and 5:30 a.m. July 19.

Anyone with information about Zhao is asked to contact the IHIT information line at 1-877-551-4448 or email [email protected].