Suspect charged with kidnapping resulting in scholar's death

Brendt Christensen.

The new indictment alleges special findings that the death of Zhang, 26, occurred during the commission of a kidnapping; that Christensen committed the offense in an especially heinous, cruel or depraved manner, in that it involved torture or serious physical abuse to the victim; and, that Christensen committed the offense after substantial planning and premeditation to cause the death of a person. The indictment also charges Christensen, 28, with two counts of making false statements to FBI agents in June. The pending trial date for Christensen is Feb 27, 2018, in Urbana.