China Executes Man for Poisoning Gaming Tycoon Lin Qi, May 27

Chinese authorities executed Xu Yao on May 21 for poisoning billionaire gaming tycoon Lin Qi in 2020. Lin founded Yoozoo Games, which holds film adaptation rights to the science fiction trilogy behind Netflix’s hit series “3 Body Problem.” The murder stemmed from a workplace dispute after Lin sidelined Xu from key business operations. The case shocked China’s gaming and entertainment industries.

How the Poisoning Unfolded

Xu Yao worked as a subsidiary head managing the Three-Body franchise after Lin appointed him in 2018. Xu helped secure the major Netflix adaptation deal. In 2020, Lin removed Xu from key business operations and handed control to other executives. Xu then disguised toxic substances, including pufferfish neurotoxin and mercury compounds, as probiotic health supplements and gave them to Lin.

Lin fell ill in December 2020 and died nine days later at age 39. At his death, Lin had a net worth of around 6.8 billion yuan, nearly €900 million. Chinese courts later revealed that several other Yoozoo employees were also poisoned in the wider scheme, including executive producer Zhao Jilong and his wife, who survived but suffered long-term health complications.

Court Ruling and Execution Timeline

Police arrested Xu days after Lin was admitted to the hospital in December 2020. In 2024, a Chinese court convicted him of murder and sentenced him to death. The Shanghai First Intermediate People’s Court described Xu’s actions as “extremely despicable.” China’s Supreme People’s Court later approved the death sentence. Xu was executed by firing squad on May 21, 2026, nearly six years after Lin’s death.

Impact on Gaming and Entertainment

Lin’s death sent shockwaves through both China’s gaming industry and the global entertainment world. Yoozoo Games is best known for the strategy game “Game of Thrones: Winter Is Coming.” Netflix’s “3 Body Problem” series, which premiered in 2024, quickly became one of the streaming platform’s most-watched shows. Lin was posthumously credited as one of its executive producers. Yoozoo Games confirmed the execution on Tuesday and stated it was grateful that “justice has ultimately been served.”

Final Thoughts

China’s execution of Xu Yao closes a high-profile murder case tied to Netflix’s “3 Body Problem” franchise. The case demonstrates how workplace disputes in China’s tech sector can escalate to fatal consequences, with courts treating such crimes with severe penalties.

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