The bodies of plumber Peter Ray, 56, and Lixin Wang, a woman in her 60s who was a remedial massage therapist and a brothel owner, were found on Ray’s luxury yacht, the Taloha. The yacht was docked at Tunks Park marina in the Cammeray district of Sydney, Australia, and the bodies were discovered on the night of Wednesday, July 31, 2024. The case is currently under a thorough investigation by the police of New South Wales.
The yacht, a 47-foot vessel worth approximately $300,000, was the scene of the grim discovery, with the deceased found in the cabin. Ray, who had bought the yacht in 2022, had dedicated a year and a half to its renovation.
A friend who had lost contact with the pair since Monday raised the alarm. First responders noted the presence of fumes on the yacht, indicating a possible gas leak. This, along with illegal drugs found at the scene, forms part of the ongoing investigation.
According to Detective Inspector Siobhan Munro, “The cause of death is not obvious, and so all evidence is being considered, and all information will be taken on board. Nothing is being discounted at this time.”
The registration of the vessel had been updated just a few weeks prior to the incident, likely in preparation for the Airlie Beach Race Week, an annual sailing event in Australia’s Whitsunday region. Ray had also made plans to move to Queensland in the near future.
Wang was a known businesswoman in the eastern suburbs of Sydney and was registered as the owner of The Flamingo Club. Ray and Wang were known to have had a sporadic relationship, and their sudden deaths have sparked questions regarding the events leading to their deaths.
An autopsy is due to be performed to establish the precise cause of death. The authorities are still investigating whether there was any criminal involvement, given the lack of visible injuries on the corpses.
The case has garnered significant public interest, and police are appealing for anyone with information to reach out to Crime Stoppers. The Taloha, once a symbol of personal ambition and relaxation, has become a key part of a baffling and tragic case.
Ray’s former spouse, Andrea, commended him as a devoted father to their three children, aged 29, 27, and 19 respectively.