Deceased/Not Found Italy - Li Yinglei, 36, vanished from Mediterranean cruise, 10 Feb 2017 *husband guilty*

[Legally Bland]

A FATHER-of-two whose wife disappeared from a cruise ship while they were on holiday is facing trial accused of mortgage fraud offences.

Daniel Belling (47) had the case against him adjourned for the preparation of a book of evidence when he appeared in Dublin District Court today.

Man whose wife vanished from cruise ship faces trial for mortgage fraud offences - Independent.ie

 

[Niner]

https://www.[link removed].au/cruise-ship-murder/

There’s something that fascinates us all about disappearances from cruise ships. One minute, a passenger’s enjoying the luxury of the cruising experience, and the next minute, they’ve been lost to the cold vastness of the ocean.

On the weekend, another report of a passenger disappearing from a cruise ship hit the headlines. This time it was a 63-year-old woman from South Korea who went missing from the Norwegian Epic in between France and Majorca. She was last seen sitting on her balcony at 1am Saturday, wearing pink pyjamas.


Interesting article.

 

[Niner]

Dublin man faces life in jail on charges of murdering and hiding wife's body

July 10, 2020

Daniel Belling, 47, was held in custody for 14 months after Xing Li, 38, disappeared during a Med cruise in 2017 with their two children.

The computer programmer was held by Italian cops before being released in April 2018 without charge — but prosecutors carried on investigating the case.

A prosecutor based in Rome, Italy — Barbara Zuin — revealed the dramatic details after sending Belling’s lawyer Luigi Conti a five-page document detailing the end of the probe.
[.....]
Speaking about the new document, Mr Conti, told the Irish Sun: “The prosecutor has made her mind up that my client is guilty. We expected this to happen at some point and now it has.

"I haven’t had a chance to tell my client yet — but I will.”
[.....]
Belling has at all times protested his innocence.

No one from the prosecutor’s office in Rome was available for comment but any trial is unlikely to take place until the autumn at the earliest.

 

[Niner]

and another article

Dublin-based man Daniel Belling facing charges of killing wife Xing Li and destroying her body on board cruise ship

July 16, 2020

A Dublin-based man from Germany is facing charges for homicide and destruction of his wife’s body while on board a Mediterranean cruise ship.

Italian investigators announced today that their preliminary investigation into the mystery disappearance of Chinese national Xing Li (38), had concluded.

Mr Belling’s lawyer Luigi Conti told Independent.ie that he had been informed of the development in the long-running case this morning.

 

[Niner]

Dublin dad charged with murdering wife and hiding body on cruise ship

August 2, 2020

A man charged with murdering his wife and hiding her body 
on a cruise ship is desperately 
protesting his innocence.

Daniel Belling, who spent 14 months on remand in jail, says he is “shocked” the Italian courts are pursuing a prosecution.

The Dublin dad is suspected by 
the Italian authorities of killing 
his Chinese-born wife after she 
disappeared while the couple were sailing around the Mediterranean.

But he insists she got off the ship – the MSC Magnifica – and has 
gone back to China to start a new 
life without him.

Italian authorities completed 
their preliminary investigation into the disappearance of 38-year-old 
Xing Li three weeks ago.
[.....]
He is facing two charges, one for homicide and another for the alleged destruction of his wife’s body while on the cruise. Mr Conti said his client was shocked by the prosecutor’s 
decision, adding: “He is worried 
about these new charges as he faces spending the rest of his life in prison.
[.....]
Mr Conti said Mr Belling’s legal team asked prosecutors to determine if the mother of two returned to her native country.

He revealed: “Mr Belling believes his wife returned to China because many times in Dublin his wife spoke with the doctor of Tusla and said she wanted to return to China because 
life in Dublin with her husband 
was like a prison.
[.....]
Mr Conti said without a body being discovered and given Mr Belling’s account that his wife disembarked and did not get back on the cruise ship, the charge of homicide should be dropped.
[.....]
He added: “We want the charges to be dropped unless there is a body found.” When asked by the Irish Sunday Mirror if he will be looking to have the charges dropped against 
his client, Mr Conti said: “Yes sure. We are now awaiting the trial to clarify before impartial judges.

“It will start in the autumn, Covid restrictions permitting.

“Unfortunately, the prosecutor in the investigation phase never believed in Mr Belling’s innocence.

“Now before calm and impartial judges we will clarify everything.”

 

[Niner]

Anyone seen any updates on the "sometime in autumn" hearing or trial?

TIA!

 

[Niner]

Got this in alerts!

Dublin Man Whose Wife Disappeared On Cruise Ship To Face Trial In Italy

June 24, 2021
A father-of-two whose wife disappeared from a cruise ship while they were on holiday is due to face trial in Italy at the end of September.
[.....]
According to Italian media, the trial will begin on September 30 in the Court of Assizes in Rome.

During the preliminary hearing, Mr Belling’s lawyers, Laura Camomilla and Luigi Conti, argued that there was no motive for the murder, but the judge decided the case should be brought before trial.
[.....]
Mr Belling is currently living in Germany under a residency obligation. However, his lawyers have requested that he be given permission to travel to Italy during the legal proceedings.
[.....]
He said: ‘I was worried about my wife for the first few weeks but not anymore, no. I think she knows I have been imprisoned. I’m not angry. She always had a very strange personality.’

When asked if Ms Li would be so cruel as to leave him in prison, Mr Belling replied: ‘Yes, of course, she is definitely that cruel. She was that cruel already.’

Under Italian law, Mr Belling was allowed to be held without formal charge or trial for a year to give the prosecution time to investigate the matter, but had to be released if no evidence was produced.

more in article.

 

[Niner]

Thursday, Sept. 30th:
*Trial set to begin (@ am CET) - Rome, Italy – Li Yinglei “Angie” (Xing Lei Li) (36) (Feb. 10, 2017, Rome) – Daniel Belling (45/now 48), DH arrested (2/11/17) on suspicion of murder; vanished off Med cruise, plead not guilty. A German citizen working in Ireland, where he has been accused of fraud. Released from prison (4/24/18). Charged (7/16/20) with 1 count of homicide & 1 count of alleged destruction of wife’s body while on cruise.
Trial set to begin on 9/30/21.
Faces another year in prison, while pros investigate case; Judge will decide 1/26/18, postponed. Judge gave him 6 more months of detention. 4/24/18 was released from prison.
7/16/20 Update: facing charges for homicide & destruction of his wife’s body while on board a Mediterranean cruise ship. He faces life in prison.
8/2/20 Update: Italian authorities completed 
their preliminary investigation into the disappearance of Li Yinglei. He is facing two charges, one for homicide and another for the alleged destruction of his wife’s body while on the cruise. Hearing in autumn.
6/24/21 Update: During the preliminary hearing, Mr. Belling’s lawyers, Laura Camomilla & Luigi Conti, argued that there was no motive for the murder, but the judge decided the case should be brought before trial. Mr. Belling is currently living in Germany under a residency obligation. However, his lawyers have requested that he be given permission to travel to Italy during the legal proceedings. The trial will begin on September 30 in the Court of Assizes in Rome.

 

[Niner]

Daniel Belling Trial: Xing Li the missing cruise ship mum ‘wanted to return to China’, says husband’s lawyer

 

[Niner]

Friday, October 1st:
*Trial continues (Day 2) (@ am CET) - Rome, Italy – Li Yinglei “Angie” (Xing Lei Li) (36) (Feb. 10, 2017, Rome) – Daniel Belling (45/now 48), DH arrested (2/11/17) on suspicion of murder; vanished off Med cruise, plead not guilty. A German citizen working in Ireland, where he has been accused of fraud. Released from prison (4/24/28). Charged (7/16/20) with 1 count of homicide & 1 count of alleged destruction of wife’s body while on cruise.
Trial began on 9/30/21.
Faces another year in prison, while pros investigate case; Judge will decide 1/26/18, postponed. Judge gave him 6 more months of detention. 4/24/18 was released from prison.
Court info from 2/11/17 thru 6/24/21 reference post #48 here:
Still Missing - Italy - Li Yinglei, 36, vanished from Mediterranean cruise, 10 Feb 2017 *husband Arrested*
9/30/21 Thursday, Trial Day 1: No info available. Trial continues on 10/1/21.

 

[Niner]

Monday, October 4th:
*Trial continues (Day 3) (@ am CET) - Rome, Italy – Li Yinglei “Angie” (Xing Lei Li) (36) (Feb. 10, 2017, Rome) – Daniel Belling (45/now 48), DH arrested (2/11/17) on suspicion of murder; vanished off Med cruise, plead not guilty. A German citizen working in Ireland, where he has been accused of fraud. Released from prison (4/24/28). Charged (7/16/20) with 1 count of homicide & 1 count of alleged destruction of wife’s body while on cruise.
Trial began on 9/30/21.
Faces another year in prison, while pros investigate case; Judge will decide 1/26/18, postponed. Judge gave him 6 more months of detention. 4/24/18 was released from prison.
Court info from 2/11/17 thru 6/24/21 reference post #48 here:
Still Missing - Italy - Li Yinglei, 36, vanished from Mediterranean cruise, 10 Feb 2017 *husband Arrested*
9/30/21 Thursday, Trial Day 1: No info available. Trial continues on 10/1/21.
10/1/21 Friday, Trial Day 2: No info available. Trial continues on Monday, 10/4/21.

 

[Niner]

Oops - The trial has been postponed...

Trial of Daniel Belling over murder of wife Xing Li on cruise ship postponed so jail phone calls can be transcribed

Sept. 30, 2021

The Italian trial of a father-of-two accused of murdering his wife while on a cruise ship has been postponed so that telephone calls he made from prison can be transcribed.

German IT worker Daniel Belling (49) who had been living in north Dublin until recently, faces charges of killing his wife, Chinese national Xing Li, while on a Mediterranean ship in 2017 and throwing her body in the sea.

Mr Belling’s Italian lawyer Luigi Conti told Independent.ie that his trial, which was due to begin earlier today, has been pushed back until October 26 so that a consultant can be appointed to “transcribe the wiretapping in prison.”

 

[pizzaman12]

Oops - The trial has been postponed...

Trial of Daniel Belling over murder of wife Xing Li on cruise ship postponed so jail phone calls can be transcribed

Sept. 30, 2021

The Italian trial of a father-of-two accused of murdering his wife while on a cruise ship has been postponed so that telephone calls he made from prison can be transcribed.

German IT worker Daniel Belling (49) who had been living in north Dublin until recently, faces charges of killing his wife, Chinese national Xing Li, while on a Mediterranean ship in 2017 and throwing her body in the sea.

Mr Belling’s Italian lawyer Luigi Conti told Independent.ie that his trial, which was due to begin earlier today, has been pushed back until October 26 so that a consultant can be appointed to “transcribe the wiretapping in prison.”

Something I find odd about this also is "At a short hearing in Rome yesterday, You Xiangzhen filed a civil action against Mr Belling, seeking damages if he is convicted of killing her daughter."

I find this odd because she not only stated the below but visited him in jail, leaving him max money. I know she was living in his apartment when he was in jail but didn't she continue to live there for some time? I'll have to go back and look

Despite witnessing marital problems, Ms Li’s mother said she did not suspect her son-in-law.

She said: ‘I have a very good relationship with Daniel.

‘He is a very good person, I don’t think he could have hurt my daughter.’

She has visited Mr Belling in Rome’s Regina Coeli prison, Mr

Belling’s lawyer said, leaving him the maximum daily allowance of money allowed to prisoners.

Wife who vanished during cruise 'had lots of rows with husband'

 

[pizzaman12]

Also, out of curiosity, what's the background of no body convictions in Italy? I know they've become pretty common in the US

 

[Niner]

Tuesday, October 26th:
*Trial set to begin (@ am CET) - Rome, Italy – Li Yinglei “Angie” (Xing Lei Li) (36) (Feb. 10, 2017, Rome) – Daniel Belling (45/now 49), DH arrested (2/11/17) on suspicion of murder; vanished off Med cruise, plead not guilty. A German citizen working in Ireland, where he has been accused of fraud. Released from prison (4/24/28). Charged (7/16/20) with 1 count of homicide & 1 count of alleged destruction of wife’s body while on cruise.
Trial set to begin on 10/26/21.
Faces another year in prison, while pros investigate case; Judge will decide 1/26/18, postponed. Judge gave him 6 more months of detention. 4/24/18 was released from prison.
Court info from 2/11/17 thru 6/24/21 reference post #48 here:
Still Missing - Italy - Li Yinglei, 36, vanished from Mediterranean cruise, 10 Feb 2017 *husband Arrested*
9/30/21 Update: The Italian trial of Belling has been postponed so that telephone calls he made from prison can be transcribed. Mr. Belling’s Italian lawyer Luigi Conti told that his trial, which was due to begin earlier today, has been pushed back until October 26 so that a consultant can be appointed to “transcribe the wiretapping in prison”. It is understood that while in it is prison he made a number of phone calls to his nephew in Germany as well as to his mother-in-law, You Xiangzhen. The conversations were recorded & an application has been made to have them transcribed & produced as evidence. At a short hearing in Rome yesterday, You Xiangzhen filed a civil action against Mr. Belling, seeking damages if he is convicted of killing her daughter. Mr. Belling is currently in Germany, but is expected to attend the trial in Italy at a later date according to Mr. Conti his attorney.

 

[Niner]

Wednesday, October 27th:
*Trial continues (Day 2) (@ am CET) - Rome, Italy – Li Yinglei “Angie” (Xing Lei Li) (36) (Feb. 10, 2017, Rome) – Daniel Belling (45/now 49), DH arrested (2/11/17) on suspicion of murder; vanished off Med cruise, plead not guilty. A German citizen working in Ireland, where he has been accused of fraud. Released from prison (4/24/28). Charged (7/16/20) with 1 count of homicide & 1 count of alleged destruction of wife’s body while on cruise.
Trial began on 10/26/21.
Faces another year in prison, while pros investigate case; Judge will decide 1/26/18, postponed. Judge gave him 6 more months of detention. 4/24/18 was released from prison.
Court info from 2/11/17 thru 9/30/21 reference post #55 here:
Still Missing - Italy - Li Yinglei, 36, vanished from Mediterranean cruise, 10 Feb 2017 *husband Arrested*
Oct. 26, 2021 Tuesday, Trial Day 1: No info available. Trial continues on Oct. 27, 2021.

 

[pizzaman12]

Wednesday, October 27th:
*Trial continues (Day 2) (@ am CET) - Rome, Italy – Li Yinglei “Angie” (Xing Lei Li) (36) (Feb. 10, 2017, Rome) – Daniel Belling (45/now 49), DH arrested (2/11/17) on suspicion of murder; vanished off Med cruise, plead not guilty. A German citizen working in Ireland, where he has been accused of fraud. Released from prison (4/24/28). Charged (7/16/20) with 1 count of homicide & 1 count of alleged destruction of wife’s body while on cruise.
Trial began on 10/26/21.
Faces another year in prison, while pros investigate case; Judge will decide 1/26/18, postponed. Judge gave him 6 more months of detention. 4/24/18 was released from prison.
Court info from 2/11/17 thru 9/30/21 reference post #55 here:
Still Missing - Italy - Li Yinglei, 36, vanished from Mediterranean cruise, 10 Feb 2017 *husband Arrested*
Oct. 26, 2021 Tuesday, Trial Day 1: No info available. Trial continues on Oct. 27, 2021.

Thanks. Anyone have any idea if there is any press coverage of this? Can't find much

 

[Niner]

Thanks. Anyone have any idea if there is any press coverage of this? Can't find much

I can't either....

 

[Niner]

Thursday, October 28th:
*Trial continues (Day 3) (@ am CET) - Rome, Italy – Li Yinglei “Angie” (Xing Lei Li) (36) (Feb. 10, 2017, Rome) – Daniel Belling (45/now 49), DH arrested (2/11/17) on suspicion of murder; vanished off Med cruise, plead not guilty. A German citizen working in Ireland, where he has been accused of fraud. Released from prison (4/24/28). Charged (7/16/20) with 1 count of homicide & 1 count of alleged destruction of wife’s body while on cruise.
Trial began on 10/26/21.
Faces another year in prison, while pros investigate case; Judge will decide 1/26/18, postponed. Judge gave him 6 more months of detention. 4/24/18 was released from prison.
Court info from 2/11/17 thru 9/30/21 reference post #55 here:
Still Missing - Italy - Li Yinglei, 36, vanished from Mediterranean cruise, 10 Feb 2017 *husband Arrested*
Oct. 26, 2021 Tuesday, Trial Day 1: No info available. Trial continues on Oct. 27, 2021.
Oct. 27, 2021 Wednesday, Trial Day 2: No info available. Trial continues on Oct. 28, 2021.

 

[Niner]

Friday, October 29th:
*Trial continues (Day 4) (@ am CET) - Rome, Italy – Li Yinglei “Angie” (Xing Lei Li) (36) (Feb. 10, 2017, Rome) – Daniel Belling (45/now 49), DH arrested (2/11/17) on suspicion of murder; vanished off Med cruise, plead not guilty. A German citizen working in Ireland, where he has been accused of fraud. Released from prison (4/24/28). Charged (7/16/20) with 1 count of homicide & 1 count of alleged destruction of wife’s body while on cruise.
Trial began on 10/26/21.
Faces another year in prison, while pros investigate case; Judge will decide 1/26/18, postponed. Judge gave him 6 more months of detention. 4/24/18 was released from prison.
Court info from 2/11/17 thru 9/30/21 reference post #55 here:
Still Missing - Italy - Li Yinglei, 36, vanished from Mediterranean cruise, 10 Feb 2017 *husband Arrested*
Oct. 26, 2021 Tuesday, Trial Day 1: No info available. Trial continues on Oct. 27, 2021.
Oct. 27, 2021 Wednesday, Trial Day 2: No info available. Trial continues on Oct. 28, 2021.
Oct. 28, 2021 Thursday, Trial Day 3: No info available. Trial continues on Oct. 29, 2021.