TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Authorities in Hualien recovered partial remains of a woman on Sunday, prompting a court to approve the detention of four suspects.

The 23-year-old victim, surnamed Chin (金), met 27-year-old Chuang (莊) online and began living with her in Hualien in June last year. The two later moved to Yuli Township, sharing a rented home with a couple surnamed Yang (楊), according to CNA.

Investigators said that in August, Yang’s wife suspected Chin of theft and called a friend, surnamed Chen (陳), and others to confront her. During the confrontation, Chin was allegedly beaten to death.

Yang and Chen reportedly wrapped Chin’s body in a blanket and transported it to a remote mountain area in Fuli Township. Chuang then used Chin’s phone for over a year to contact her family and request living expenses.

Chuang, who was unemployed but had access to money, was suspected by her sister of being manipulated by a scam group. Her sister took her to the police, where she revealed that Chin had been abandoned in a Fuli mountain area.

Due to multiple typhoons and heavy rains, only the victim’s skull and some bones were recovered.

Police questioned Chen and the Yang couple. All three, along with Chuang, gave inconsistent statements, while the Yang couple and Chen claimed Chuang also participated in the assault.

The four have been referred for prosecution on suspicion of homicide and abandonment of a dead body. Prosecutors cited concerns the suspects might flee, destroy evidence, or collude to conceal the crime.

Given that the offenses carry a minimum sentence of more than five years, the Hualien District Court approved their detention incommunicado.