Man held in Chinese scholar’s kidnapping was graduate student

CHICAGO — The 28-year-old Illinois man charged with kidnapping a Chinese scholar now believed to be dead was among a select few admitted to the University of Illinois’ highly competitive physics graduate program in 2013.

Brendt Allen Christensen originally planned to earn a doctorate, but told his graduate adviser in 2016 he had changed his mind, Professor Lance Cooper recalled Saturday. He didn’t say why, and Christensen continued taking classes and teaching as a graduate assistant. He earned his master’s degree in mid-May.

Christensen is in federal custody awaiting a court appearance Monday in the June 9 kidnapping of Ying-ying Zhang, 26, the daughter of a factory driver from China. Weeks ago, Zhang, who graduated last year with a master’s degree in environmental engineering from one of China’s elite schools, arrived at the university to do research in agricultural sciences. She planned to begin work on her doctorate in the fall.

A criminal complaint accuses Christensen, of Champaign, Ill., of abducting Zhang shortly after she stepped off a bus near campus. Video from nearby cameras showed Zhang, on her way to sign a lease for an apartment, trying unsuccessfully to flag down another bus. Minutes later, she’s seen getting into a black Saturn Astra.

According to the criminal complaint, investigators determined 18 vehicles registered in Champaign County were similar to the one Zhang got in. One belonging to Christensen was first seen in an apartment complex parking lot June 12, and investigators questioned him. They searched the vehicle but didn’t remove anything.

Investigators later determined the car in the video had a sunroof and cracked hubcap, like Christensen’s car, the affidavit states. When investigators interviewed Christensen again, he acknowledged giving a ride to an Asian woman. Christensen said the woman panicked after he apparently made a wrong turn and he let her out in a residential area.

According to an affidavit filed in federal court, Christensen was under surveillance Thursday when agents overheard him explaining he had kidnapped Zhang. Authorities say agents believe Zhang is no longer alive. Her body hasn’t been found.

The charging document says Christensen’s smartphone was used to visit an online forum in April called “Abduction 101.”