The bodies of a plumber and a remedial massage therapist were found on a luxury yacht in Sydney, Australia on the night of July 31, 2024. Peter Ray, 56, and Lixin Wang, who was in her 60s, were discovered on Ray’s yacht, the Taloha, docked at Tunks Park marina in the Cammeray suburb. This has led to a thorough investigation by the New South Wales police.
The Taloha, a 47-foot yacht worth approximately $300,000, was the site of the grim discovery. Ray, who acquired the yacht in 2022, had devoted a year and a half to refurbishing it. The deceased were found in the cabin of the yacht.
Authorities were notified by a friend who hadn’t received any communication from Ray and Wang since Monday. Preliminary investigations by the emergency services detected the presence of fumes in the yacht, suggesting a potential gas leak. Additionally, illegal narcotics discovered at the scene have also become a focal point of the inquiry.
Detective Inspector Siobhan Munro stated, “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 yacht’s registration was recently renewed, indicating Ray’s intentions to participate in the upcoming Airlie Beach Race Week, a yearly sailing event in the Whitsunday region of Australia. Ray also intended to move to Queensland soon.
Wang, recognized for her business endeavors in the eastern suburbs of Sydney, was identified as the owner of The Flamingo Club through records. She and Ray were known to have an intermittent relationship, and their sudden deaths have sparked inquiries into the circumstances leading up to their tragic end.
An autopsy is slated to establish the definitive cause of death. The investigation continues into the possibility of foul play, given the lack of physical injuries on the deceased bodies.
The case has garnered substantial attention, with police appealing to the public for anyone with information to contact Crime Stoppers. The Taloha yacht, previously a symbol of personal ambition and recreation for Ray, has now become the focal point of a confounding and tragic investigation.
Andrea, Ray’s former spouse, extolled him as a dedicated father to their three children, aged 29, 27, and 19.