A body found in a car trunk last week was identified Tuesday as 20-year-old Tong Shao, a Chinese student who was a junior chemical engineering major at Iowa State University. The cause of death wasn't announced pending completion of an autopsy.

Iowa City police said the death was suspicious. They said they were seeking Xiangnan Li, 23, an University of Iowa student, who was a person of interest. Police believed he may have returned to China, a development they termed frustrating.

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Sgt. Scott Gaarde, of Iowa City police, said authorities were utilizing outside resources to provide some answers for Ms. Shao's family as to her death along with Li's location. They believed Li would have possible information about the circumstances of the girl's death.

Shao hadn't been seen since Sept. 6 when she told friends she was going to Minnesota on a trip. She hadn't been heard from since Sept. 8. Ames Police reported her missing on Sept. 17.

Shao's body was found in the trunk of a Toyota Camry she registered while in a summer internship in Kentucky a few months ago. It was parked at an apartment complex parking lot.

Li was known to be an associate of Shao's. He lived at Dolphin Lake Point Enclave, the apartment complex where Shao's car and body were found. Police were at the apartment complex Monday searching a 2009 BMW registered to Li, apartment complex residents said.

Iowa State president Steven Leath issued a statement saying the entire ISU community had been concerned about Shao's safety and well-being. He offered deepest sympathies to Shao's family and friends.

Iowa City Area CrimeStoppers was offering a reward of up to $1,000 for information leading to the arrest of a suspect in her killing.

TagsTong Shao, Iowa City, police, Ames, crime, Chinese students, iowa state university, university if iowa, Xiangnan Li, Murder