This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/england/tyne/7555366.stm

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Hunt for weapon in Chinese deaths Hunt for weapons in double murder
(about 8 hours later)
Police investigating the murders of a Chinese couple in Newcastle are continuing their hunt for the weapons used by whoever killed them.Police investigating the murders of a Chinese couple in Newcastle are continuing their hunt for the weapons used by whoever killed them.
Xi Zhou and her boyfriend Zhen Xing Yang were found with severe head injuries inflicted by a knife and another sharp weapon, police said.Xi Zhou and her boyfriend Zhen Xing Yang were found with severe head injuries inflicted by a knife and another sharp weapon, police said.
It is possible the couple, both 25, knew their killer as there was no sign of a break-in at the Croydon Road flat.It is possible the couple, both 25, knew their killer as there was no sign of a break-in at the Croydon Road flat.
Detectives have described the murder as "frenzied".Detectives have described the murder as "frenzied".
Det Supt Steve Wade said: "The crime scene was very unpleasant, one of the worst I have seen during a long career, sadly."Det Supt Steve Wade said: "The crime scene was very unpleasant, one of the worst I have seen during a long career, sadly."
Chinese mediaChinese media
He added: "It was a vicious attack, there was a lot of blood and I think in any interpretation that was a frenzied attack."He added: "It was a vicious attack, there was a lot of blood and I think in any interpretation that was a frenzied attack."
Mr Wade said it was likely that whoever carried out the murders would have left the scene heavily bloodstained.Mr Wade said it was likely that whoever carried out the murders would have left the scene heavily bloodstained.
Both had wounds consistent with trying to defend themselves.Both had wounds consistent with trying to defend themselves.
Post-mortem examinations showed Xi Zhou may also have been asphyxiated.Post-mortem examinations showed Xi Zhou may also have been asphyxiated.
Detectives from Northumbria Police are still trying to trace the couple's final movements.Detectives from Northumbria Police are still trying to trace the couple's final movements.
The scene has been described as "gruesome"The scene has been described as "gruesome"
They have also not yet been able to trace the relatives of Zhen Xing Yang.
The pair had successfully completed Masters degrees at Newcastle University.The pair had successfully completed Masters degrees at Newcastle University.
Mr Wade said a painstaking and thorough forensic examination was being carried out. Mr Wade said a painstaking and thorough forensic examination was being carried out and CCTV from the area was being viewed by officers.
"House-to-house inquiries are continuing in the vicinity of the crime scene and the search of the scene is ongoing looking for possible weapons used in the attack."House-to-house inquiries are continuing in the vicinity of the crime scene and the search of the scene is ongoing looking for possible weapons used in the attack.
"We are using Chinese media outlets, internet websites, and community contacts to try and build up a lifestyle profile of the victims and identify the last sightings of the couple alive," he said."We are using Chinese media outlets, internet websites, and community contacts to try and build up a lifestyle profile of the victims and identify the last sightings of the couple alive," he said.
Detectives confirmed on Tuesday that they had finally traced Zhen Xing Yang's mother in China and informed her of her son's death.
The multi-cultural area in Newcastle's West End is popular with students, particularly those from the Chinese community.The multi-cultural area in Newcastle's West End is popular with students, particularly those from the Chinese community.
Extra police patrols have been put on duty in an attempt to reassure residents, and officers plan to speak to local community leaders.Extra police patrols have been put on duty in an attempt to reassure residents, and officers plan to speak to local community leaders.
Police have also been carrying out house-to-house inquiries in the area and are urging anyone with any information to contact them.Police have also been carrying out house-to-house inquiries in the area and are urging anyone with any information to contact them.
Eddy Tang, minister of the International Christian Fellowship in Newcastle, said the couple were popular in the Chinese community.Eddy Tang, minister of the International Christian Fellowship in Newcastle, said the couple were popular in the Chinese community.
He said there was a large Chinese student population in the city who had been scared by what had happened.He said there was a large Chinese student population in the city who had been scared by what had happened.