NYPD Investigates Death of Chinese Immigrant

New York City police are investigating whether a woman found beaten to death in her SUV was killed in a botched extortion plot from her native China.

Chao Ru Xie was found Monday slumped between the seats of the family vehicle in the Bay Ridge section of Brooklyn, miles from their home. Her husband reported an unauthorized use of the car on July 1. It's not clear when she was last seen.

Her husband told police that the family received a call from China demanding money. Investigators have been unable to verify the information.

Detectives are pulling phone records and interviewing business associates. The victim emigrated from China about a decade ago, and ran a type of homegrown lottery in Manhattan's Chinatown.

The medical examiner ruled the death a homicide.