Chinese scholar missing from University of Illinois for days

URBANA, Ill. – Police say a Chinese scholar visiting the University of Illinois’ Urbana-Champaign campus has been missing for days.

Yingying Zhang’s friends contacted police Saturday to say they hadn’t heard from the 26-year-old woman since Friday afternoon. Police say Zhang was headed to an apartment complex to sign a lease.

University of Illinois police released surveillance video on Monday showing Zhang entering a black Saturn Astra vehicle in Urbana about 2 p.m. Friday, shortly after getting off a bus. University police spokesman Patrick Wade tells The (Champaign) News-Gazette (http://bit.ly/2ro0Gkz ) that authorities need the public’s help to identify the vehicle.

Zhang is visiting the school’s Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Sciences. Police say she’s been in central Illinois about a month and has been staying in university housing.

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Information from: The News-Gazette, http://www.news-gazette.com