Man Seen Following Women in Hervanta Woods Linked to 2011 Killing of Yuqing Yin

Police now consider a man who was seen lurking and following women in Hervanta woods a prime suspect in the 2011 killing of 42-year-old Yuqing Yin, YLE reports.

Yuqing Yin was attacked while walking back to Nokia’s Hervanta office through Näyttämönpuisto during a lunch break. Investigators say she was struck from behind with a knife in a forest clearing and, though still alive, could not speak. She later died despite resuscitation.

Detective superintendent Jari Luoto said police have received roughly five tips about a man seen in the area in the days before the killing, and there were eyewitness reports of a runner in the park soon after the attack. Witnesses described the runner in a light shirt and dark trousers, while descriptions of the man who reportedly followed women in the woods have varied. The runner is viewed as a strong candidate, but investigators say other lines of inquiry remain open.

The revelation comes as Hervanta has seen other violent incidents recently, including a May stabbing on Tieteenkatu where a man was wounded and a separate case in which a 50-year-old was charged with murder after an apartment stabbing.

Anyone with information is asked to contact YLE confidentially at [email protected].