People react at the end of the bond hearing for Brendt Christensen outside of the US Courthouse on July 3, 2017 in Urbana, Illinois. [Photo/Agencies]

Monday's brief hearing was the first court appearance for 28-year-old Brendt Christensen since he was charged on Friday in the kidnapping of Yingying Zhang. Authorities have said they believe the 26-year-old Zhang is dead, although her body has not been found.

The (Champaign) News-Gazette reports that Christensen — clad in an orange jumpsuit — didn't speak during the nine-minute hearing other than to acknowledge that he understood his rights.

Christensen is scheduled to attend a bond hearing before US Magistrate Judge Eric Long on Wednesday. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for July 14.

Christensen is accused of abducting Zhang in Urbana on June 9.

Hundreds of people are gathering outside the federal courthouse.

AP