China executes by firing squad popular actor and singer for killing the woman 3 years ago
By Jeph Ajobaju, Chief Copy Editor
China has executed popular actor and singer, Zhang Yiyang, for the murder of his underage girlfriend, in the first case of a Chinese celebrity being executed by firing squad, a fate usually meted out to corrupt politicians.
The Intermediate People’s Court of Xianyang in North Shaanxi Province made the execution public in July 2025, saying Yiyang was executed on 18 December 2024 for attacking his 16-year-old girlfriend with a knife in 2022.
The report said:
- Yiyang cut her left carotid artery, jugular vein, trachea and esophagus, which led to her death after massive bleeding.
- Began dating the victim in September 202 but she later proposed breaking up with him after a dispute.
- After the murder, he took away the deceased’s mobile phone, discarded the knife and other weapons and related items in a reservoir to destroy evidence.
- On the following day, he attempted to commit suicide at a hotel but was discovered by one of the hotel workers, who reported to the police.
Yiyang’s popular songs include “I Only Care About People Who Care About Me”, “So Care About You’ and ‘Crying Man”.
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