Family of missing Chinese scholar seeks Trump's help

Combined file photo shows Chinese scholar Zhang Yingying (R) and suspect Brendt Christensen.

(ECNS) -- Family of Zhang Yingying, a female Chinese visiting scholar at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, who is missing and presumed dead, have delivered a petition letter to U.S. President Donald Trump seeking help.

It has been over 70 days since Zhang went missing in Champaign. Brendt Christensen, a former Illinois grad student, has been charged with kidnapping, but police have no clue as to where she or her remains are.

Local Chinese communities are helping Zhang's family, including her mother, brother and aunt who recently arrived in the city.

A lawyer for the family said there has been no breakthrough so far in the investigation. A hearing for the suspect will be held in the coming month.

Zhang's family said they would make public the petition letter to President Trump at a press conference on Aug. 22.