"Ying Ying is gone. She is never going to be found. The FBI has looked for her, the police and the FBI don't know where she is. I'm apparently very good at this. The family won't leave until she's found. And they are going to leave empty-handed because they will never find her. She is gone forever." — Brent Christensen (as relayed by Ashley Flowers)
"The prosecution argued that Brent Christensen had become enamored with dark, violent fetishes in particular, those abduction fetishes in which he would abduct someone, a particularly young woman, and force her to do sexual acts out of her control." — Ashley Flowers
"Brent's attorneys argued that he was incredibly drunk at that time. So like fruit of the forbidden tree. I don't know. I mean, basically they're saying like he was super drunk, so you wouldn't have had that if he wasn't super drunk, and then you wouldn't have got the rest of the stuff, so the rest of the stuff doesn't." — Ashley Flowers
This episode of Crime Junkie recounts the harrowing case of Yingying Zhang, a Chinese exchange student who disappeared from the University of Illinois campus in June 2017. The narrative traces her movements on the day of her disappearance, detailing her attempt to reach a new apartment and the critical moment she accepted a ride from Brent Christensen in his black Saturn Astra. The investigation quickly shifted to suspect Christensen after his vehicle was identified through surveillance footage.
The episode delves into Christensen's background, revealing a history of personal struggles, substance abuse, and concerning psychological predispositions, including admiration for serial killers and an interest in abductions. Despite his initial denials and inconsistent statements, further forensic analysis of his vehicle and electronic devices, combined with crucial information obtained through surveillance of his new girlfriend wearing a wire, led to his confession. Christensen admitted to abducting, assaulting, and murdering Zhang, detailing the horrific events.
The trial highlighted the prosecution's case, which centered on premeditated abduction and murder, supported by forensic evidence such as blood matching Zhang's found in Christensen's apartment and vehicle, and his purchase of a duffel bag that matched his fantasies. Christensen's defense attempted to discredit his confession due to intoxication, but ultimately, the jury found him guilty of kidnapping resulting in death and making false statements. He was sentenced to life imprisonment without parole. Despite the conviction, Zhang's remains have not been found, leaving her family with continued grief and the search for closure.