On March 13, 2018, a 38-year-old woman in New Taipei City, Taiwan, carried a heavy box into her apartment. She was already exhausted after spending the morning working on a large DIY project.
Over the next three days, she continued working on it while also going to work, looking after her children, cooking meals, and cleaning the apartment.
But her family had no idea what was hidden inside the project.
By the time police entered the apartment on March 16, they discovered that the large cement structure in the back bedroom was not a normal DIY project. It was being used to conceal a human body.
The DIY Project Took Over Her Life
Zhang Fangxin lived in New Taipei City with her husband, their two children, and her sister-in-law, Ye Xiufeng.
The DIY project had started as something Zhang apparently intended to complete herself. But it quickly became much more demanding than expected.
She spent hours working on it and made several trips to a store to buy additional supplies.
Even with the project taking up much of her time, Zhang continued dealing with her normal responsibilities.
She went to work, took care of her children, prepared meals, and kept the apartment clean.
Then another problem added to her workload.
Tension With Her Sister-in-Law
Zhang’s sister-in-law was preparing for an out-of-town marathon. According to the account, she regularly left dumbbells, laundry, and other belongings around the apartment.
Zhang became increasingly frustrated about having to clean up after her.
On March 13, she spent time putting the dumbbells away, picking up clothes, wiping surfaces, and cleaning the apartment.
By the time her husband and children returned home, everything looked normal.
Nobody knew what was happening in the back bedroom.
A Deadly Argument
The situation eventually turned violent.
According to the account, Zhang and Ye Xiufeng got into an argument. The dispute was believed to be connected to the ongoing tension over the condition of the apartment.
During the argument, Zhang struck her sister-in-law with a dumbbell.
Ye Xiufeng died from the attack.
Zhang then faced the problem of concealing what had happened.
Instead of reporting the death, she attempted to hide the body.
The Body Was Covered in Cement
Zhang first cleaned up the blood from the scene.
She then began covering the body with cement.
What appeared to be a large block of cement was actually constructed around the body. The finished structure was roughly the size and shape of a person.
The work reportedly took three days.
More than 30 bags of cement were mixed and poured in batches.
What makes the case particularly disturbing is that Zhang was reportedly carrying out this work while continuing with her normal daily routine.
She still had to go to work.
She still had to care for her children.
And she continued living in the same apartment while the body was being concealed in the back bedroom.
The Family Did Not Know What Was Happening
Zhang’s husband and children were apparently unaware of what was inside the room.
The rest of the apartment continued to function normally.
Zhang cooked dinner, helped with the children’s homework, handled bedtime routines, and performed household chores.
Meanwhile, the cement structure in the back bedroom was becoming a permanent hiding place for her sister-in-law’s body.
This allowed the situation to remain hidden for several days.
Her Sister-in-Law’s Absence Raised Questions
The plan began to fall apart when Ye Xiufeng failed to show up for work.
She was also expected to attend the marathon she had been training for.
Her coworkers became concerned about her disappearance.
They contacted her brother, who was Zhang’s husband.
He then reported his sister missing.
That report ultimately brought police attention to the apartment.
Police Search the Apartment
On the evening of March 16, Zhang’s husband returned home.
But he was not alone.
Several police officers entered the apartment and began searching for Ye Xiufeng.
Zhang reportedly did not know exactly what the officers were looking for.
The search eventually reached the back bedroom.
Police forced open the door and discovered the large cement structure Zhang had spent three days building.
Inside was the missing woman.
The DIY project had been an attempt to conceal the body.
How the Three-Day Cover-Up Was Discovered
The case shows how a missing-person investigation can quickly change when investigators discover physical evidence inside a home.
Ye Xiufeng’s absence from work and the marathon raised concerns. Her brother’s decision to report her missing brought police to the apartment.
The search then uncovered the cement structure.
What had appeared to be a strange home-improvement project was actually evidence connected to a homicide.
The Timeline of the Case
March 13, 2018
Zhang was already working on the large DIY project when she carried a heavy box into the apartment.
She also cleaned the home and continued taking care of her family.
The Following Days
The cement structure was built in stages.
More than 30 bags of cement were reportedly used.
Zhang continued working, caring for her children, and maintaining her normal routine during this period.
March 16, 2018
Zhang’s husband returned home with police officers after Ye Xiufeng was reported missing.
Police searched the apartment and discovered the cement structure.
The search revealed the body hidden inside.
What Made the Case So Difficult to Detect?
The most striking part of the case was how ordinary life continued around the hidden crime.
The apartment remained occupied.
Children were still being cared for.
Meals were still being prepared.
And Zhang continued her regular responsibilities.
At the same time, investigators later discovered that the large object in the back bedroom had a completely different purpose from what it appeared to have.
The disappearance of Ye Xiufeng eventually became the key that exposed what had happened.
The Hidden Body Behind an Ordinary-Looking Project
The case began with what looked like an ordinary household problem: a demanding DIY project and tension between family members.
But behind the project was something far more disturbing.
According to the account, an argument between Zhang and her sister-in-law ended in a fatal attack. Zhang then spent three days using cement to conceal the body while attempting to maintain the appearance of a normal family life.
The plan ultimately failed when Ye Xiufeng’s coworkers noticed her absence and her brother reported her missing.
Police searched the apartment and discovered the cement structure in the back bedroom.
What had taken three days to build became the evidence that exposed the crime.