Joon Seong Tan faces trial for murder of girlfriend Ju ‘Kelly’ Zhang

A man charged with murdering his girlfriend allegedly searched online “how many years for killing a person in Australia” shortly after she vanished.

Police searching for Ju “Kelly” Zhang at the Wollert rubbish tip. Picture: Luis Ascui

The jealous boyfriend of Ju “Kelly” Zhang searched “how many years for killing a person in Australia” days after her mysterious disappearance, a court has heard.

Joon Seong Tan faced the first day of a Supreme Court trial on Monday, charged with the murder of his new girlfriend Ms Zhang, 33, whose body was found in a Wollert rubbish tip four months after she disappeared from her Epping home.

In his opening address, prosecutor Jeremy McWilliams told the jury Mr Tan became “infatuated” with Ms Zhang and referred to her as his “wife” despite meeting her online just a month before her death.

But the relationship soured when Ms Zhang did not reciprocate his feelings, the prosecutor said.

Joon Seong Tan is charged with murder. Picture: Josie Hayden

Mr Tan allegedly told a friend he believed Ms Zhang was cheating on him and he would kill her if he caught her in the act.

The jury was told Ms Zhang had begun another relationship with a man named Eric and she told a friend she liked him more than Mr Tan.

About 6pm on February 1, 2021, Mr Tan allegedly murdered Ms Zhang in her Epping home during an argument about her other relationship.

The jury was told her injuries included “sharp force” trauma to the heart.

Ju ‘Kelly’ Zhang vanished from her Epping home in February 2021.

After allegedly killing her, Mr Tan allegedly asked his housemate to come to the home because there was an “emergency”.

Upon his arrival, Mr Tan allegedly told his housemate to speak in Cantonese to ensure Ms Zhang’s eight-year-old son did not understand their conversation.

Mr Tan allegedly told him he had stuffed Ms Zhang’s body in a laundry cupboard and needed help disposing of her remains.

“I was so pissed,” Mr Tan allegedly told his housemate.

“We argued, I killed her.”

Joon Seong Tan allegedly told a friend he believed Ms Zhang was cheating on him. Picture: Josie Hayden

The housemate allegedly agreed to grab a bin from outside but instead fled.

Mr Tan allegedly called him 90 times, none of which were answered, when he failed to return.

It’s alleged he then wrapped Ms Zhang’s body in a bed sheet and dumped it into a garbage bin before driving to Heidelberg where he placed it on the street.

He allegedly returned to watch as it was collected by a garbage truck the following morning before taking the bin back to Ms Zhang’s home where he scrubbed it clean.

Ms Zhang’s body was found four months later in Wollert rubbish tip wrapped in a blanket and wearing a pink dressing gown.

In the days after her death, Mr Tan allegedly searched online “how many years for killing a person in Australia” and “how is stinky garbage disposed in Australia?”.

He also allegedly called Ms Zhang’s friend telling her she was missing before they and her ex-husband went to police to report her disappearance.

He allegedly told officers he had seen Ms Zhang leave her home with her mobile phone about 6pm wearing pyjamas and slippers.

But by February 5, Mr Tan was a suspect and he was interviewed where he maintained she had walked out and not come back.

Three days later, Mr Tan was arrested at Melbourne Airport where he was trying to board a flight to Adelaide.

Mr McWilliams asked the jury to look at the “larger picture” of the case.

“The lies that are told, the lengths gone to cover her death and his involvement in it, his flight, all of that evidence … a very clear picture emerges,” Mr McWilliams said.

But Mr Tan’s lawyer Greg Hughan said his client maintained he was innocent and he was unaware Ms Zhang was seeing another man.

“I ask you to maintain an open mind about all of what you’ve heard … until you’ve heard and seen all the evidence in this case,” he said.

The trial continues.