Illinois Man Charged in Abduction of Chinese Scholar

Authorities have arrested a suspect in the abduction of a Chinese scholar from the University of Illinois three weeks ago who is feared dead. Federal investigators have identified the suspect as 28-year-old Brendt Christensen, a resident of Illinois. The FBI says Christensen was overheard saying he kidnapped 26-year-old Chinese student Yingying Zhang while under surveillance. Christensen was allegedly driving a vehicle that was seen stopping next to Zhang at the university campus just prior to her abduction on June 9. Investigators also said Christensen’s smartphone showed he visited a website called “Abduction 101” months before Zhang’s disappearance. One of the threads on the forum was entitled “Perfect Abduction Fantasy.” In a statement released late Friday, authorities say they believe Zhang is dead, though no further details on a motive or Zhang’s suspected whereabouts were available.