On May 21, 2026, the legal proceedings against Xu Yao, the former CEO of Three-Body Universe (Shanghai) Culture Development Co., Ltd., reached their final conclusion as he was executed following his conviction for murder and the illegal distribution of hazardous substances.
The case, which drew significant public attention, centered on the 2020 death of Lin Qi, the chairman and general manager of Yoozoo Games. In December 2020, medical professionals identified that Lin had been poisoned, leading to an immediate police investigation. Lin passed away on December 25, 2020, after medical efforts to save him were unsuccessful.
Did You Know? The investigation revealed that Xu Yao’s criminal actions were not limited to a single victim. authorities determined he had also poisoned the beverages of colleagues, resulting in at least four other individuals suffering from poisoning between September and December 2020.
Judicial Findings and Sentencing
Following his arrest on December 18, 2020, Xu Yao faced an extensive judicial process. In March 2024, the Shanghai No. 1 Intermediate People’s Court found that Xu had engaged in premeditated acts of poisoning due to conflicts regarding corporate management and work-related issues. The court sentenced him to death for intentional homicide and six years imprisonment for the crime of投放危险物质罪 (distributing hazardous substances), with the final ruling mandating the execution of the death penalty and the lifelong deprivation of political rights.
Xu Yao appealed the initial verdict, leading to a second-instance trial at the Shanghai High People’s Court, which concluded in June 2025. The appellate court affirmed that the original judgment was based on clear facts and sufficient evidence. The court noted that Xu’s actions were characterized by “careful planning” and “cruel means,” and emphasized his lack of remorse after being apprehended. The court rejected his appeal and submitted the ruling to the Supreme People’s Court for final approval.
Expert Insight: The conclusion of this case marks the end of a multi-year legal saga that deeply impacted the corporate governance landscape of the firms involved. The court’s emphasis on the defendant’s lack of repentance and the severity of the social impact underscores the judicial system’s zero-tolerance stance toward premeditated violence in professional settings, setting a firm precedent for future cases involving similar criminal intent.
Implications and Future Outlook
With the final execution carried out, the formal legal chapter of this case is closed. Moving forward, the organizations involved—including Yoozoo Games and Three-Body Universe—may continue to undergo internal restructuring or governance reviews as they seek to move past the reputational and operational challenges caused by the incident. It is likely that this case will remain a reference point for corporate compliance and risk management discussions in the technology and media sectors for some time.
Frequently Asked Questions
What were the primary charges against Xu Yao? Xu Yao was convicted of intentional homicide for the death of Lin Qi and the crime of distributing hazardous substances, which caused poisoning in four other individuals.
When did the incident occur? The poisoning of Lin Qi took place between December 14 and 15, 2020, while the poisoning of other colleagues occurred between September and December 2020.
What was the final outcome of the legal appeals? The Shanghai High People’s Court rejected Xu Yao’s appeal in June 2025, maintaining the death sentence handed down by the lower court, a decision that was subsequently approved by the Supreme People’s Court.
How might this historic case influence future corporate policies regarding internal conflict resolution and executive oversight?
