Chinese singer-actor Zhang Yiyang sentenced to death for girlfriend's murder

Chinese singer-actor Zhang Yiyang was sentenced to death by firing squad in December 2024 for the murder of his 16-year-old girlfriend in 2022, as confirmed by a recent investigation report from a Chinese court.

Zhang is the first Chinese entertainer to receive the death penalty, according to the report from the Intermediate People's Court of Xianyang City, Shaanxi Province. The report revealed that Zhang and his girlfriend began dating in September 2021. However, when she wanted to end the relationship, Zhang would threaten her with suicide.

On Feb 26, 2022, Zhang, aged 30 at the time, took his girlfriend to a forest in Xingping City, Shaanxi Province, under the guise of celebrating his birthday. An argument ensued over the breakup, and Zhang fatally stabbed her multiple times in the neck with a folding knife.

After the incident, Zhang disposed of her phone and his clothes in a reservoir and attempted suicide the following day in a hotel room using the same knife. He was found by hotel staff and taken to a hospital.

Following China's criminal law, Zhang was convicted of intentional homicide and sentenced to death. His appeal was rejected, and he was executed on Dec 18, 2024.