METRO VANCOUVER - A young Richmond man already facing a kidnapping charge in connection with a bizarre abduction case has now been charged with first-degree murder.

Tian Yi Zhang, 23, and three others were arrested after the body of Chinese national Peng Sun, 22, was found on a quiet North Vancouver residential street last month.

But while the Integrated Homicide Investigation Team was on the case immediately, Zhang and his co-accused Casey James Hiscoe, 21, were initially charged only with kidnapping and interfering with a dead body.

Now Zhang is also facing a murder count. He made a brief appearance on the new charge in North Vancouver Provincial Court Wednesday and is being held in custody until his next appearance Oct. 29.

Hiscoe will appear again on Oct. 28. He has not been charged in connection with SU’s slaying, but still faces charges of kidnapping and interfering with a dead body.

The other two arrested, Dyllan James Green, 20, and Jacob Michael Gorelik, 18, are only charged with interfering with a body. Both were released on $5,000 bail.

All four were arrested around 3 a.m. Sept. 29 in the 900-block of Wellington Drive, a tree-lined street or well-kept homes.

Neighbours told The Sun at the time they believed the dead man was inside a white Bentley that was towed from the scene, along with two other vehicles.

Of the four accused, only Hiscoe has a criminal record. He was convicted last year of assault with a weapon and possessing a weapon for dangerous purposes. He got a 12 month conditional sentence. He has other convictions for breaching court-ordered conditions.

kbolan@vancouversun.com

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