Following the sudden death of Lin Qi, state-run media in China began reporting that his death was being investigated as a suspected murder by poisoning, possibly through the pu-erh tea that he was known to drink. Three days after his passing, Shanghai police announced that they had detained Xu Yao on Dec. 18, in connection to the case. Lin had hired Xu, a lawyer, in 2017 to lead The Three-Body Problem Universe, a subsidiary of Yoozoo focused on adapting books for the screen in China.
Details about the case against Xu were not shared by Chinese authorities, but it was reported that Xu was a fan of Breaking Bad and may have been disgruntled after being demoted. Reports claimed that Xu built a lab to test various poisons purchased on the dark web. The murder of Lin, one of China’s wealthiest individuals, caused a media frenzy in the country. It was alleged that Xu had plotted to poison Lin and four other colleagues in the office, all of whom fell ill after consuming tainted beverages between September and December 2020.
In the trial that followed, Xu was found guilty and sentenced to death by the Shanghai First Intermediate People’s Court. It was revealed that Xu did not confess to the crime and did not disclose the type of poison used, which may have complicated efforts to save Lin’s life at the hospital. The court announced the verdict through its official WeChat account, stating that Xu had planned the poisoning of Lin and his colleagues. The four other individuals affected by the poison were sickened but did not die after consuming the tainted beverages.
The case of Lin Qi’s murder and the subsequent trial of Xu Yao garnered significant attention from the media and the public in China. The shocking nature of the crime, involving a wealthy and prominent figure in the entertainment industry, led to widespread speculation and interest in the case. Despite the lack of a confession from Xu and the undisclosed details of the poison used in the crime, the court found him guilty and sentenced him to death for his role in the murder plot. The motive behind the poisoning, Xu’s alleged grievances and actions leading up to the incident, added complexity to the case.
The impact of Lin’s death and the subsequent investigation and trial on the entertainment industry and society in China was significant. The case shed light on issues related to workplace disputes, corporate culture, and personal vendettas that can escalate to extreme levels. The murder of Lin Qi was a tragic event that shocked many, and the revelation of Xu Yao’s involvement in the crime underscored the potential dangers of internal conflicts in professional settings. The legal proceedings and outcome of the trial offered a glimpse into the justice system in China and the consequences for those convicted of serious crimes such as murder.
Overall, the case of Lin Qi’s murder and the involvement of Xu Yao highlighted the complexities of human behavior, motivations, and the consequences of extreme actions. The tragic loss of Lin, a successful entrepreneur and creative force in the entertainment industry, sent shockwaves through the community. The investigation, arrest, trial, and sentencing of Xu served as a cautionary tale about the possible consequences of seeking revenge or settling disputes through violent means. The impact of the case on the individuals involved, their families, colleagues, and the wider public underscored the importance of conflict resolution, communication, and addressing grievances in a constructive and non-violent manner to prevent such tragedies from reoccurring in the future.
