Police conduct a forensic examination at a palm tree farm in Suwon-ri, Hallim-eup, Jeju, on Monday, where the body of Jang Mi-ran, who had been missing for several months, was discovered. [Yonhap]
Police conduct a forensic examination at a palm tree farm in Suwon-ri, Hallim-eup, Jeju, on Monday, where the body of Jang Mi-ran, who had been missing for several months, was discovered. [Yonhap]

Police have conducted a scene reconstruction to determine the circumstances surrounding the death of a woman in her 30s whose body was found at a Jeju farm more than 100 days after she was reported missing.

The Jeju Provincial Police Agency carried out the reconstruction Thursday at a palm tree farm in Hallim-eup, Jeju, examining whether conditions at the site were consistent with death by hanging, based on the circumstances in which the woman, surnamed Jang, was found.

Investigators tested the strength of the palm tree trunks and recreated the position in which Jang's body was discovered, also checking whether the tree could bear a weight comparable to her body weight, according to police.

Earlier, police said they believed Jang had died by hanging herself from a palm tree, based on autopsy results from the National Forensic Service and a forensic examination of the scene. During that initial examination, investigators had already assessed the strength of the palm trunks and concluded the upper portion of the tree could support a person's body weight.

However, questions have been raised about whether death by hanging was actually possible given the layout of the farm and the shape of the palm trees where Jang was found. Jang's family and boyfriend have said she was afraid of the farm and rarely visited it.

Police said they would incorporate the results of the reconstruction into their investigation and continue to determine the exact cause of death while keeping all possibilities open.

Jang was reported missing in May. After that report was closed, her body was found at the palm tree farm on Monday.


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