Former Three-Body CEO Xu Yao (许垚) reportedly executed for poisoning Youzu Network founder Lin Qi (林奇)

Execution reported after high‑profile poisoning case

It has been reported that on May 21, 2026 Xu Yao (许垚), the former chief executive of Three‑Body Universe (Shanghai) Cultural Development Co., Ltd. (三体宇宙（上海）文化发展有限公司), was executed following convictions for poisoning. The report, carried by the Economic Observer and republished by IT之家 (ITHome), says Xu was held responsible for the deliberate poisoning of Lin Qi (林奇), chairman and founder of Youzu Network (游族网络股份有限公司), a prominent Chinese online games and entertainment company.

Crime, arrest and trial timeline

Authorities say the poisoning occurred in December 2020: hospital staff first identified Lin as a suspected poisoning case on December 17, 2020, and Lin died on December 25 after treatment proved ineffective. Police arrested Xu on December 18, 2020. Shanghai No.1 Intermediate People’s Court convicted Xu in March 2024 of intentional homicide and of placing dangerous substances, sentencing him to death and to six years’ imprisonment for the separate charge; the Shanghai Higher People’s Court upheld the verdict on appeal in mid‑2025 and the case was subsequently submitted to the Supreme People’s Court for approval.

Court findings and wider impact

The higher court concluded that Xu planned the attacks after disputes with Lin over company management and that he also poisoned beverages in colleagues’ offices between September and December 2020, causing at least four other staff members to fall ill. The court described his actions as carefully premeditated, particularly severe and socially dangerous, noting Xu’s lack of remorse as an aggravating factor. Why would a senior executive resort to murder? According to court records, the motive was tied to internal business conflicts.

Aftermath for the tech community

The case shocked China’s gaming and broader tech community and revived questions about corporate governance, personnel conflicts and workplace safety in fast‑moving private firms. This remains primarily a domestic criminal matter; it is not related to international sanctions or trade policy. It has been reported that the affair drew extensive media attention within China and will likely be cited in future discussions about oversight and executive accountability in the country’s tech sector.