Zhuojun 'Sally' Li's remains were found near Sydney airport. Now a second body has been uncovered.

On December 9, police made the grim discovery of a woman's body in Sydney. She was found wrapped in plastic and left in the bushes of Sir Joseph Banks Park, near Sydney Airport.

Her remains, heavily decomposed, were discovered early in the morning by a jogger.

In the week that followed, her identity and how she came to be there remained a mystery.

Until, on Saturday, December 14, police were able to confirm the identity of the woman, 33-year-old former childcare worker Zhuojun "Sally" Li.

As police continue to investigate and unravel the trajectory that led to Li's passing, the tale becomes even more devastating.

Zhuojun 'Sally' Li was found wrapped in plastic and left in the bushes of Sir Joseph Banks Park. Image: NSW Police

Li had been reported missing in November, with her mother making the report after she was unable to contact her daughter.

Police confirmed that Li was married, and that her husband, 33-year-old Jai-Bao "Rex" Chen, was also missing.

A public appeal was launched to locate him after police expressed "grave concerns" for his welfare.

On December 17, police discovered another body, found submerged in a creek.

Superintendent Danny Doherty told the press, "(It was) covered with very thick bush foliage, bulrush reeds, which makes it very difficult to see and has been there for some time."

"There is a strong likelihood and assumption that this is the body of Rex."

A body believed to be that of Jai-Bao 'Rex' Chen has been found. Image: NSW Police

Li and Chen shared a rental apartment in Greenacre, where the police's investigation team, Strike Force Zygon, believe they were allegedly killed before being dumped in Botany.

Li had moved to Australia over 20 years ago, from China, to build a life of her own. She worked in early childhood education before quitting her job around a year ago to start up a disability support service business.

Not as much is known about Chen, but it's understood he is originally from Taiwan.

Per the Sydney Morning Herald, detectives were able to track Chen's phone to Queensland, identifying two persons of interest who had fled the country.

That turned their investigation into one they allege could be a "targeted double murder", carried out by a third party.

Police are currently investigating the idea that "financial debts" may have motivated the crime.

"One of the motives could possibly be financial debts. They owed money," Superintendent Doherty told the press.

"There was no other criminality that we're aware of. Unfortunately, Sally has become a victim because of that. We are treating it more likely as a targeted double murder. As I said previously, we thought there was a third party involved — a very strong investigative theory — and that has now been confirmed.

"At some stage after the bodies had been dumped in Botany, (the third parties) travelled up to Queensland. We've located a phone that ultimately had found its way back to the next of kin, which then police seized.

"That phone has been forensically examined and from the inquiries we've had so far we believe there's at least two people involved and both have travelled overseas."

Police said the couple had no links to organised crime.

"(There appears) to be no — for Sally anyway — any links to any criminality or any organised crime or anything like that.

"Rex had some minor issues in the past, but nothing that really gives us a strong indication that they were involved in any wrongdoing, or mixed up in any organised crime.

Strike Force Zygon, spent the week uncovering key evidence, including a silver Toyota Avensis believed to have been used to transport the bodies.

CCTV of a vehicle believed to have been used to transport Zhuojun 'Sally' Li's body. Image: NSW Police

CCTV footage shows the vehicle on Foreshore Road in Botany between 4am and 5am on November 30. Police are appealing for anyone with dashcam footage or information about the car to come forward.

In an update last week, Superintendent Doherty said, "That would fit with the, unfortunately, with the decomposition and the start of the body."

"We're still appealing, if anyone has information about that vehicle, because it's crucial to our investigation.

"We believe that vehicle was used to convey the body of Sally to Foreshore Drive and to conceal her body in the bushes there after they disposed of her."

Detective Doherty added that the young woman's body was in a state of decomposition such that she could not be identified by her fingerprints.

"We had to wait for DNA … we visited the family, and the family gave DNA, and there was a match," he said.

On Saturday, Li's mother was seen clearing out her daughter's home in an emotional scene. Neighbours described her as visibly distressed as she packed furniture into a removalist truck.

"She was very upset," a neighbour said to Daily Telegraph. "What had happened to her daughter was just so shocking—I couldn't believe it."

The neighbour said the pair were a friendly couple who loved celebrating Christmas, Halloween and Chinese New Year.

"Sally loved celebrations... last year the whole house was decorated for Christmas. When it was Halloween, the doorbell played Halloween music," the neighbour said.

Investigations under Strike Force Zygon continue.

Anyone with information that may assist investigators is urged to contact Crime Stoppers: 1800 333 000 or on their website.

Feature image: NSW Police.