The remains found in Greenpark, Canterbury on Tuesday are those of missing Christchurch woman Yanfei Bao, police have confirmed.

Detective Inspector Nicola Reeves said “the remains were carefully exhumed from a gravesite at a private property and underwent a forensic post mortem on Wednesday.”

Reeves was notified that the formal identification of Yanfei’s remains were accepted by the Coroner today.

“This news brings to a close a key aspect of our investigation and Yanfei will now be returned to her family.”

“Police are not in a position to share further details of the post mortem in light of a pending court appearance of a 53-year-old charged with murder.

A scene examination at the Greenpark property has been completed.”