FBI makes missing scholar case a national priority

Submitted photo

Brendt Christensen, a Physics graduate student, was arrested in connection to Zhang’s disappearance. The University postponed the campus wide ceremony honoring Zhang’s life.

By Samantha Jones Toal, Brand Manager

The University of Illinois Police Department confirmed today that the FBI has made the disappearance of Yingying Zhang a national priority, according to a release.

FBI Assistant Special Agent in Charge Jon Holloway said he has access to the full resources of the FBI.

More agents are working on this case than typically work the Springfield division’s entire 84-county region, according to the release.

University Police Chief Jeff Christensen said that the department has also enlisted every available technological and human resource to work the case.

As of now, the UIPD cannot comment on specifics of the case.

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“We realize that this has been a source of anxiety for our entire campus community. Our concern for Yingying grows with each day that passes, and we have personally witnessed the pain this uncertain time has created for her family members, friends and colleagues,” Christensen said in an email sent on Wednesday. “While we cannot share specific details on the investigation in order to maintain its integrity and direction, we continue to make progress in our search, and we will not give up until we find her.”

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