Shanghai Daily | 上海日报 -- English Window to China News

AUSTRALIAN police are seaching for the suspect involved in a burglary that caused the death of an 18-year-old Chinese student when she fell from the 4th floor of her apartment while trying to escape the intruder.

The Consulate General of the People’s Republic of China in Sydney said today in a statement that the woman, Wei Liao, slipped and fell from the balcony when she tried to flee. Her body was found naked on the concrete below her balcony.

Wei’s Korean boyfriend, Chris Han, 19, also fell shortly after, but survived. Han suffered a broken back, pelvis and legs and is in critical condition, according to the statement. He was also naked when he fell.

The statement said the couple’s friend and roommate hid in one locked room during the burglary and were not harmed.

The couple and their roommate studied at Taylors College. The Chinese consulate has already asked the school to notify Wei’s family and help them come to Sydney.

A Sydney Morning Herald report said it was believed that the couple had been forced at knife point to perform sex acts.

Police said the intruder, who investigators described as dark-skinned and aged about 30, followed the couple's friend into the apartment building about noon on Sunday, according to a Guangdong Province-based New Express report.

Once in the lift, the man held a knife to the woman's throat and accompanied her to the flat. After they entered the flat, the man locked the door and held everyone hostage, the report said.

Wei’s family is planning to travel to Australia following her death.

The Chinese consulate urged police to catch the suspect as soon as possible and better protect the safety of Chinese students in Australia. It also reminded Chinese students to be more aware of their own safety.