Murdered student Jamie Gao faced court on kidnapping and assault charges in the week before he was killed.

In a shock twist, it has been revealed that the 20-year-old was accused of kidnapping a young man with two others in January, according to a Sydney Morning Herald report.

Gao allegedly forced the victim into a car and detained him in a bid to get information about a relationship breakdown, according to a Daily Telegraph report.

A detective on the case said that police were aware of the charges at the beginning at the investigation but established that it had nothing to do with his murder.

Gao’s body was found last week floating off Cronulla beach after what police allege was a $3 million drug deal gone wrong.

Police are investigating claims that he was a lower level drug dealer who supplied the area’s clubs and hotels.