Dorset Police has launched a major investigation into the disappearance of 44-year-old nurse Rui Li, who was last seen leaving her workplace at Poole Hospital at around 6pm on Friday 23 May.
Rui was reported missing to police yesterday morning (27 May). Following initial investigations, a 60-year-old man from Bournemouth who is known to her has been arrested on suspicion of murder.
Extensive investigations are ongoing, including forensics experts examining three addresses at Burnham Drive, Wolverton Road and St Clement’s Road, all in the Boscombe area. Detectives are appealing for the public’s help to piece together Rui’s movements since Friday evening and to build a picture of her life.
Detective Inspector Marcus Hester of the Major Crime Investigation Team said: “We sadly have reason to believe Ms Li may have come to harm and have arrested a man on suspicion of murder. However, at this time we do not know her whereabouts.
“Our investigations are focused on establishing exactly what happened between Friday evening and the time Ms Li was reporting missing to us on Tuesday morning. I would ask anyone who has seen or heard from her since she left work at Poole Hospital to contact us.
“We are building up a picture of her life, so I would also ask anyone who we haven’t spoken to already, who knew her well and may have information that that could assist us to get in touch.”
Police have circulated a photograph of Rui Li, who is described as a slim woman of Chinese appearance, roughly five feet, five inches in height. She sometimes wears glasses and often wears her shoulder-length black hair in a ponytail.
Anyone with information should call Dorset Police on 101 quoting Operation Timekeeper.
