Zhang’s Estate Sues U Of I Counselors, Christensen
Visiting scholar Yingying Zhang of China came to the U of I Urbana campus in April of 2017, and has been missing since June of that year. She is presumed dead. University of Illinois Police
The estate of missing Chinese scholar Yingying Zhang is suing two University of Illinois counselors who treated her accused killer for wrongful death and negligence.
The civil lawsuit filed Friday also names Brendt Christensen as a defendant.
Christensen’s criminal trial continues this week in Peoria, with jury selection wrapping up Tuesday, and opening statements scheduled for Wednesday. He is accused of kidnapping and killing Zhang in June of 2017.
The civil lawsuit was filed by Clifford Law Offices in Chicago on behalf of Daniel Deneen, the administrator of Zhang’s estate.
It accuses U of I counselors Thomas Miebach and Jennifer Maupin of failing to give Christensen adequate care after his visit to the University Counseling Center in March of 2017.
That was less than three months before Christensen picked up Zhang at a university bus stop in his vehicle, the last time she was ever seen. Zhang is presumed dead, though her body was never found.
The lawsuit seeks unspecified financial damages from the three defendants.
Read the full court filing below: