Chinese actor Zhang Yiyang has been executed by firing squad for the brutal murder of his 16-year-old girlfriend in a forest in Shaanxi Province.
The 34-year-old performer became the first known celebrity in China to receive a death sentence.
Court records cited by Lianhe Zaobao and Hong Kong media confirmed that Zhang was executed in Xingping city, Shaanxi, on 18 Dec 2024.
The Intermediate People’s Court of Xianyang city in Shaanxi sentenced him to death for intentional homicide and deprived him of political rights for life.
Fatal Forest Attack Following Relationship Dispute
Zhang and his victim were both from the same village in Xingping and had been in a relationship since 2021. The girl was 15 years old when they began dating, according to court documents.
Problems arose when the teenage victim expressed her desire to end their relationship. Zhang opposed the breakup and repeatedly threatened to take his own life during their arguments.
On 26 Feb 2022, Zhang took a taxi to meet the victim. He lured her into accompanying him under the pretence of celebrating his birthday. At around 6pm, the victim got into the taxi with Zhang and they travelled to a nearby forest.
An argument erupted between the pair about breaking up. Zhang then took out a folding knife and slashed the victim multiple times on her neck.
Court records revealed that this attack ruptured the victim’s left carotid artery, jugular vein, windpipe, and oesophagus. She died of asphyxiation from blood blocking her windpipe.
Cover-up Attempt and Failed Suicide Bid
At around 9pm, Zhang took the victim’s phone and returned home to change out of his clothes. He subsequently threw both the phone and his bloodstained clothes into a reservoir in an attempt to dispose of evidence.
The next day, Zhang used the same knife to attempt suicide at a hotel room in Xingping. Hotel staff discovered him and immediately called police and an ambulance. Zhang was taken to hospital and later arrested by authorities.
Legal Proceedings and Posthumous Film Release
Zhang appealed against his death sentence, but the high court in Shaanxi upheld the verdict. The case was then referred to the Supreme People’s Court, China’s highest judicial authority, which issued the execution order.
Born in 1990, Zhang was a mainland Chinese actor, director and singer-songwriter who participated in various television shows and films. According to Baidu, he was known as an 18-line actor in the industry – a term referring to performers who take on supporting roles with limited dialogue.
He released at least 15 albums and previously won the “Golden Award” in China for best new actor.
Zhang’s film Jie You Yin Sheng Guan was released posthumously in March 2025. The release sparked controversy among netizens on the platform Douban, who began giving the film one-star ratings and heavily criticising its premiere despite its lead actor being a convicted murderer.
One netizen commented: “The male lead actor was executed for murder, but the movie he starred in still premiered.”
Would you be jailed for being half-naked in public? Well, the answer will shock you. Seriously. Watch this to the end and you'll understand:
