Three people charged over `missing` boy

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NAI Yin Xue, the father of the girl left at a busy Melbourne train station last year, has faced court in New Zealand charged with murdering his wife.

Mr Xue fled to the United States after allegedly dumping his child, Qian - who was dubbed "Pumpkin" because of the clothes she was wearing that day - at Melbourne`s Southern Cross station last year. Mr Xue was brought back to NZ this morning in the custody of US officers.

New Zealand police arrested Mr Xue upon his arrival in Auckland and charged him with murdering his wife, Anan Liu.

The 53-year-old showed little emotion as he appeared in the dock to answer the charge. Another charge of unlawfully taking Qian from Ms Liu was dropped, the NZPA news agency reported.

"We are just happy to have him back in New Zealand. Over the next few weeks and months we will look at the evidence and consider further charges," Detective Senior Sergeant Simon Scott said.

The arrival of Mr Xue, 53, signals the end of an almost six-month manhunt that began after his daughter Qian Xun Xue - who became known as Pumpkin - was found wandering at a Melbourne train station in September.

Two days later New Zealand police discovered the body of Mr Xue`s wife Anan Liu in the boot of a car which had been left outside her Auckland home.

In the latest twist to the homicide, fresh claims have emerged that Anan "Annie" Liu, 27, may have been trying to keep secret the fact she was carrying a child.

Ms Liu had been anxious to share the news with confidante Stella Li, but died before she got the chance, according to a source close to the case.

Ms Li, a prominent member of Auckland`s Chinese business community, said had been trying to tell her "something very secret".

Asked if it was possible Ms Liu was pregnant, she said: "Maybe, but I don`t think so." Reports also suggested a coroner`s report shows she had been strangled.

Capture

After leaving Australia Mr Xue flew to Los Angeles, where he went into hiding.

He was captured in the United States last month after six members of a Chinese family in a small town in Atlanta, Georgia, recognised him from media coverage.

Although he told police they had the wrong man, his New Zealand drivers` licence was found in his wallet.

It is expected the group, who leapt on Mr Xue and hogtied him with his own trousers and belt, will share in the reward of $US10,000 ($10,800).

A large media contingent was waiting at the airport this morning for the plane carrying Mr Xue to arrive.

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