POLICE have confirmed two men arrested on suspicion of murder in connection with the disappearance of Rui Li are father and son.

At 10.30pm yesterday, officers discovered a body in the boot of a silver Fiat Punto in Verwood Crescent, Bournemouth, which they believe to be that of the 44-year-old nurse.

A 60-year-old man and a 26-year-old man have both been arrested on suspicion of murder.

Detective Inspector Marcus Hester, of Dorset Police’s major crime investigation team, today confirmed the two suspects are father and son.

DI Hester said: “The relationship between the victim and the people in custody I am not able to discuss at the moment but what I can tell you is that we have a father and son in custody in regards to this matter.”

He added: “Yesterday evening at about 10.30pm we located a silver Fiat Punto in Verwood Crescent in the Bournemouth area and within that vehicle sadly we have found a deceased person.

“We strongly believe that that deceased person is the person we are looking for in Rui Li but no identification has taken place yet.”

The two men, who are known to Rui Li, have a connection with Cromer Motors on St Clements Road in Bournemouth, which DI Hester said is “central” to the investigation.

The body, which has not yet been formally identified, was found in the boot of the Fiat Punto.

It is not yet known how the person died.

DI Hester said the Fiat Punto has a connection Cromer Motors and the owner is helping police with enquiries but is not a suspect.

Today officers continued examining the scene where the vehicle was found.

Police have until just after midnight to charge or release the 60-year-old man and have today received a 36-hour extension to the time period they are able to question the 26-year-old.

Rui Li, who worked at Poole Hospital, was reported missing by her family on Tuesday morning. She has not been seen since leaving the hospital in her silver Porsche at around 6pm on Friday, May 23.

Police are continuing to appeal for anyone with information about Rui Li’s disappearance to come forward.

In particular anyone who saw a white transit van with the registration plate Y491 GFT between May 24 and May 28 is asked to contact police. 

Anyone with information should call Dorset Police on 101 quoting Operation Timekeeper.