Chinese businessman missing

A Chinese businessman who went spear fishing at the Banzai Cliff area in Marpi on Monday night has been reported missing.

Saipan Tribune learned that Jian Zhu Deng, 52, manager of the family-owned Deng Shi Auto Shop in Garapan, had not returned home as of yesterday but his car has been recovered. The Department of Public Safety’s Boating Section Unit launched yesterday a search and rescue operation.

Acting DPS spokesman Jason Tarkong confirmed Deng’s disappearance and the ongoing search and rescue operation. Tarkong said they will issue a press release about the incident.

Deng’s wife, Fuwen Zhang, 48, and their 15-year-old daughter, Kathy, told Saipan Tribune that Deng left home alone Monday at 6pm to go fishing in Marpi. They said Deng loves fishing and that he is a good swimmer.

The family said Deng would usually return home between 10pm and 11pm.

The wife said she woke up yesterday at 6am to find out that Deng had not returned home. She started to get worried.

After dropping off two of their four children in school, the wife called some friends and then the police.

The wife, accompanied by three friends, searched the Banzai Cliff area where Deng would usually go fishing.

The group later found Deng’s car, a Nissan Pathfinder with license plate ABR 288, parked in the Banzai Cliff area.

The wife said the car was locked and inside were Deng’s pants, shirt, snorkel, shoes, and a bottle filled with water. The wife said they could not find the key so she went back to their house and got the duplicate.

Five to 10 minutes after they found the car, police arrived at the scene.

The family appealed to DPS to search for Deng. They believe he is still alive as he is a good swimmer and was probably swept out to sea by strong currents.

The family’s auto shop and house were severely damaged by Typhoon Soudelor.

Deng arrived in the CNMI in 1991 and has been fishing since 2009 or 2010. Three of the couple’s children were born on Saipan, while the oldest was born in China.

The couple’s oldest child, a daughter, lives in China. Their 18-year-old girl is currently studying in the United States. Their 13-year-old son and 15-year-old daughter live with them on Saipan.

Last Jan. 17, Saipan Fresh Market owner Zhi Yuan Li was reported missing. The following morning, police recovered Li’s Toyota Tacoma pickup truck abandoned on a dirt road located between Ladder Beach and Obyan Beach.

A family member has offered a $50,000 cash reward to anyone that can provide information leading to the location of the store owner—whether he’s still alive or already dead. Until now, Li remains missing.