KOROR, Palau (Jan. 22, 2024) – Family and friends of Peng Li, known as Captian Li, a tour operator found murdered in December, held a memorial service for him in Airai on Sunday. Li’s remains were later laid to rest at the Catholic Cemetery in Koror.
Members of the Chinese community in Palau and close friends, including Li’s friends from the Thunder Chiefs bike club, attended the ceremony. Prayers were offered by the Chinese church, followed by heartfelt eulogies before Li’s casket was transported to Koror for burial that afternoon.
Li was killed on the evening of Dec. 20, 2023, at the CK Mansion in Ikelau, Koror, shortly after returning from mainland China. His body was kept in a suitcase in a van at the Palasia Hotel parking lot overnight before being taken to the Ewall in Ngchesar and burned. The burned remains were found by the police after an eyewitness reported the fire to Melekeok police.
Following identification and a cause of death determination by a medical examiner from Guam, police arrested four individuals who were with Li at the time: three Chinese men and one woman. They were charged with second-degree murder and hindering prosecution. They are currently detained on bail ranging from $250,000 to $1 million, pending trial in March. Two additional Chinese Malaysian men who arrived in Palau later were apprehended and charged for assisting in the cover-up attempt.
Li worked for a company owned by Robert Tkel of Ngermid, who handled the funeral and burial arrangements. Li’s wife and father were in Palau for his funeral.