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Execution carried out for 2020 murder of Lin Qi
Chinese authorities have executed Xu Yao, the former associate convicted of murdering billionaire gaming tycoon Lin Qi by poisoning in 2020, according to a statement from Xu's company on Tuesday.
Motive and method behind the killing
Xu, who had helped Lin secure a Netflix deal for the sci-fi trilogy 3 Body Problem, poisoned him after being sidelined from key business operations. Local media reports state that Xu disguised lethal substances as probiotic pills and administered them to Lin in 2020.
Lin, 39, was hospitalized in December 2020 after falling ill and died nine days later. At the time, his net worth was estimated at 6.8 billion yuan (£745 million; $941 million), according to the Hurun China Rich List.
Legal proceedings and industry reaction
Xu was arrested days after Lin's hospitalization and convicted in 2024. The court described his actions as "extremely despicable." His execution, reportedly carried out on 21 May, was confirmed by his company, which stated, "Justice has ultimately been served."
"We deeply mourn Mr. Lin and extend our heartfelt condolences to his family. As colleagues who fought alongside him, all members of the company are grateful for the impartiality of the judicial process."
Statement from Xu Yao's company
Impact on the gaming and entertainment industry
Lin founded Yoozoo Games, a Shanghai-based developer known for titles like Game of Thrones: Winter Is Coming. He also held the film adaptation rights for Liu Cixin's acclaimed sci-fi trilogy Remembrance of Earth's Past, which Netflix adapted into the hit series 3 Body Problem in 2024. Lin was posthumously credited as an executive producer on the show.
The trilogy, originally published in Chinese, has been translated into nearly 30 languages and inspired multiple adaptations worldwide.
Fallout from the poisoning plot
Xu's actions did not only target Lin. Several others were also affected by the poisoning, according to reports. A victim, quoted by the Economic Observer, wrote on social media: "Justice comes in the end, even if it's late."
Lin's death sent shockwaves through China's gaming industry, where he was a prominent figure. In 2018, he had appointed Xu to lead Three-Body Universe, a subsidiary managing projects related to the sci-fi franchise, but their partnership soured in 2020 when Lin reassigned business operations to other executives.
