Chapter 974: Why Was She Wearing a Nightgown?

Regarding Old Bai’s suggestion, everyone agreed it was worth considering. After all, the internal layer sealing the body had roughly a centimeter thickness due to biological material penetration, and much of the substance inside belonged to the victim’s body.

This way, starting the identification work from the outer layer will definitely reduce the workload, since the biological material content on the outer layer is certainly less.

Since this plan is already confirmed, the Crime Scene Investigation office is set to proceed immediately.

However, this matter involves a one-time destruction of evidence, as the plaster will be irreparable once shattered. Thus, approval from Captain Qin Yong is required.

Upon receiving the news, Qin Yong had no objections. Since it was a suggestion from Lu Chuan, the related office consented, and they decided to follow the plan.

Meanwhile, after confirming the plaster investigation plan, Lu Chuan shifted his focus to the actual clothing worn.

To the naked eye, the current clothes’ original color was unrecognizable, but it was highly likely to be red or black.

Although some parts were already fragmented, the Crime Scene Investigation had restored it over the week, now placed on the table was a strap-style nightgown.

"Nightgown?"

Lu Chuan pondered some questions and called Zhang Hui.

"Brother Hui, give me a copy of the victim’s information."

Zhang Hui, receiving Lu Chuan’s call, did not hesitate and immediately arranged to send over the related information to Lu Chuan, as he was unavailable while investigating outside.

After receiving the pertinent data, Lu Chuan focused on the missing teacher’s details—the victim’s disappearance five years ago.

The victim named Zhang Mengyao was an employed female teacher at the Experimental Primary School.

Zhang Mengyao went missing at 25, having graduated a year before and working as an art teacher.

Since Zhang Mengyao was an employed teacher, after the police station received a report of her disappearance, a thorough investigation was conducted, but at the time, they did not discover where she went.

Moreover, the bureaucratic process involving the education bureau post disappearance of an employed person was considerably intricate, making the matter fairly significant at that time.

According to the 5-year-old case file, Zhang Mengyao went missing in the afternoon on June 25 five years ago after leaving school.

However, there was a puzzling issue; Zhang Mengyao did not leave school after a normal end-of-day.

At that time, the school had minimal surveillance, just a low-resolution camera at the school gate.

Through monitoring the then-camera footage, it was found that Zhang Mengyao left the school at 4:00 PM, never seen thereafter.

Typically, school hours end at 6:00 PM, meaning Zhang Mengyao left two hours early.

Lu Chuan meticulously reviewed some of the records and transcripts from then.

When Zhang Mengyao left school, not only were her movements captured on CCTV, several teachers and gate guards also saw her leave.

Teacher’s early departure wasn’t a major issue, moreover Zhang Mengyao was an art teacher, likely having just two periods in the morning, generally no afternoon classes.

Thus, the school did not particularly emphasize managing vocational teachers, after all, everyone has personal matters, leaving early wasn’t questioned.

But surprisingly, Zhang Mengyao never returned after that exit.

In the missing person case file was a photo of Zhang Mengyao leaving through the school gate, she wore a gray knee-length skirt and a suit, formally dressed.

Then why was the body dressed in a nightgown?

"Any special findings from the forensic department?"

Lu Chuan turned to ask Yang Lin, currently hammering the plaster.

Yang Lin put down the small hammer, wiped his forehead sweat, and shook his head.

"No, just mekanical asphyxia as the cause of death; nothing particularly notable otherwise."

Lu Chuan frowned.

A simple strap nightgown, unlikely to hide any clues within, Lu Chuan has conducted some checks but found nothing.

Yet a doubt lingered in Lu Chuan’s mind.

"You continue here while I go look for Zhang Hui."

Liu Guodong waved his hand.

In the past, they needed Lu Chuan’s involvement in micro-evidence analysis, but now Liu Guodong and others have mastered the equipment, conducting such analysis with ease, albeit the process may be complicated due to high technical demands.

Lu Chuan took off his lab coat, drove over directly to Zhang Hui’s address.

Friendship Garden.

Lu Chuan located Zhang Hui conducting interviews at Friendship Garden.

Zhang Mengyao’s killing, from current clues, highly probable due to familiarity; else why hide the body so thoroughly?

This scenario indicates fear of police tracking the murderer via Zhang Mengyao’s social circle, thus hiding the body inside a statue.

"Lu Chuan, anything discovered there?"

Seeing Lu Chuan approaching, Zhang Hui assumed he had some leads.

Unfortunately, Lu Chuan shook his head: "What’s this place?"

Zhang Hui sighed, knowing just a statue and a torn outfit, there’s not much lead.

The four Crime Scene Investigation office members had been researching for seven days but found nothing.

Despite Lu Chuan’s expertise in Crime Scene Investigation, he’s human, not a deity.

"Oh, this is Zhang Mengyao’s former boyfriend’s residential area, we’re conducting a sweep."

In this case, Zhang Hui and his team implemented extensive coverage.

Everyone associated with Zhang Mengyao was thoroughly vetted.

Including Zhang Mengyao’s parents, relatives, colleagues, supervisors, none were overlooked.

"Boyfriend?"

Lu Chuan was curious having found her single in the case file, nothing about a boyfriend.

"They broke up, a month before Zhang Mengyao’s disappearance her boyfriend left her."

Perceiving Lu Chuan’s puzzlement, Zhang Hui explained: "I inquired from police who investigated Zhang Mengyao’s disappearance, although they initially checked with her ex, the breakup meant it wasn’t detailed in the case file."

Lu Chuan nodded.

He wasn’t joining Zhang Hui in the investigation; rather intended to ask him some questions.

The two spoke inside the car.

"Nightgown?"

Lu Chuan nodded: "Yes, has there been any investigation on whether the nightgown worn by the deceased belonged to her or was from elsewhere?"

Zhang Hui shook his head: "We didn’t delve into specifics, just checked the nightgown’s brand; nothing pertinent surfaced, so it wasn’t pursued."

"Why, any leads?"