Full Breakdown
Execution of Xu Yao for Poisoning Billionaire Gaming Executive Lin Qi
5/29/2026, 4:13:46 AM
Execution of Xu Yao for Murder of Lin Qi
Chinese authorities carried out the execution of Xu Yao, a former senior executive at Yoozoo Games, after he was convicted of murdering the company's founder, Lin Qi. Xu was sentenced to death by a Shanghai court in 2024 for the 2020 poisoning. State media reported the execution on May 21, 2026, while other outlets described it as occurring “last Thursday.” The execution was confirmed by a statement from Lin's company.
Business Dispute and Netflix Adaptation
Lin Qi founded Yoozoo Games, which owned the film-adaptation rights to Liu Cixin’s science-fiction trilogy “The Three-Body Problem.” Netflix released the series “3 Body Problem” in 2024, crediting Lin as an executive producer. Xu Yao, appointed head of the subsidiary Three-Body Universe in 2018, helped secure the Netflix deal but was sidelined in 2020 when Lin placed other executives in charge, prompting a dispute.
Timeline of Events
2020 – Lin Qi fell ill after ingesting poisoned pills and died nine days later. 2024 – Shanghai High People’s Court convicted Xu Yao of murder. 2026 – Xu Yao was executed, reported on May 21 or “last Thursday.”
Poisoning Method and Substances
Investigators found Xu Yao had purchased more than one hundred toxic chemicals on the dark web, including methylmercury chloride, alpha-amanitin, mercury and tetrodotoxin. He operated a suburban Shanghai lab, tested poisons on animals, and concealed the toxins in probiotic pills, coffee capsules, whiskey bottles and water containers. Four colleagues who consumed the tainted items fell ill but survived.
Official Statements & Reactions
Three-Body Universe said it was grateful for the justice delivered by the legal system, stated that justice was served, and expressed deep appreciation for the upholding of justice. The company also conveyed mourning for Lin. A victim posted a comment noting that justice eventually arrived, though it was delayed.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
Sources differ on the execution date—some cite May 21, 2026, others say it occurred “last Thursday.” Reports also vary on the number of toxins, with one account noting at least five detected in Lin’s body and another stating Xu bought over one hundred toxic chemicals.
Verbatim Quotes
- “all employees of our company are grateful for the justice served by the legal system.” — Three Body Universe
- “Recently, the case concerning Mr. Lin Qi, the founder of Three-Body Universe, has finally reached its conclusion, and justice has ultimately been served,” — Company statement
- “All of us at the company are deeply grateful for the upholding of justice,” — Company statement
- “Justice comes in the end, even if it's late” — Victim, social media
Impact and Significance
The murder and execution underscored Chinese courts' severity in addressing corporate violence, while Lin Qi's death disrupted leadership at Yoozoo Games and highlighted high stakes of international media adaptations such as Netflix’s “3 Body Problem.” The case also drew global attention to dark-web-sourced toxins.
