On the evening of July 31, 2024, the bodies of 56-year-old plumber, Peter Ray, and Lixin Wang, a remedial massage therapist and a registered brothel owner in her 60s, were found on Ray’s luxury yacht, Taloha, at the Tunks Park marina in the Cammeray neighborhood of Sydney, Australia. The New South Wales police have launched an in-depth investigation into their deaths.
The deceased were found in the cabin of the 47-foot yacht, valued at approximately $300,000. Ray, who had bought the yacht in 2022, had spent a year and a half refurbishing it.
Police were notified by a concerned friend who had not been in contact with the couple since Monday. Preliminary examinations by emergency responders detected the presence of fumes on the yacht, hinting at a possible gas leak. This, along with the discovery of illicit drugs at the scene, is part of the ongoing investigation.
“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,” stated Detective Inspector Siobhan Munro.
Just weeks before the tragic discovery, Ray had renewed the registration of Taloha, indicating his intention to participate in the Airlie Beach Race Week, an annual sailing competition held in the Whitsunday region of Australia. Ray also had plans to move to Queensland in the near future.
Wang, a well-known business figure in the eastern suburbs of Sydney, was identified as the owner of The Flamingo Club. She and Ray were reportedly in an intermittent relationship, and their sudden deaths have sparked inquiries about the events leading up to their untimely end.
An autopsy is scheduled to ascertain the exact cause of their deaths. The authorities are investigating all possibilities, including foul play, as there were no visible injuries on their bodies.
The case has attracted significant public interest, with police urging anyone with relevant information to contact Crime Stoppers. The Taloha yacht, once a symbol of Ray’s personal dreams and relaxation, is now the focal point of a puzzling and tragic case.
Ray’s ex-wife, Andrea, described him as a devoted father to their three children, who are aged 29, 27, and 19.
