Chinese police confirm body found in river as suspect in Didi passenger killing

ZHENGZHOU - DNA tests have confirmed a body retrieved from a river in the central Chinese city of Zhengzhou is the suspect of the killing of a female flight assistant, local police said Saturday.

The 21-year-old woman was killed on May 6 after hailing an auto from China's car-hailing company Didi Chuxing in Zhengzhou, capital of Henan Province.

Zhengzhou police launched an investigation to search for the Didi driver surnamed Liu, who abandoned his vehicle and jumped into a river after allegedly killing the passenger.

At 4:30 am Saturday, police found a body in a river in Zhengzhou. DNA tests confirmed it was the suspect's body.

On Friday, China's Ministry of Transport announced plans to enhance regulation of the car-hailing industry, on its official WeChat account.

The notice said that any car-hailing companies or drivers who offered hailing services without approved licenses would be added to the Close Attention List or Discredit Joint Punishment Subjects List.

Didi Chuxing Friday afternoon announced the nationwide suspension of its hitch service. The service is designed for commuter cost-sharing.