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List of serial killers in China

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Mainland China has experienced numerous serial killers—individuals who have murdered three or more people over an extended period of time—throughout its history.[1][2]

The number of serial killers and mass murderers active in the country spiked in the 1990s, which researchers attributed to the "heavy pressure" many Chinese felt during the rapid social change of the period.[2]

Below is a list of recorded serial killers who were active in the country, with Wikipedia articles of their own.

Pre-PRC serial killers

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Serial killers active before the formation of the People's Republic of China in 1949.

Name Years active Proven victims Possible victims Status Summary Ref.
Liu Pengli, Prince of Jidong 2nd century BC 100+ 100+ Stripped of his authority and banished to Zhushan County before c. 116 BC Han prince who would go on marauding expeditions at night with his slaves, robbing and murdering villagers for sport. After a complaint was filed, the Emperor (his uncle) declared Liu a commoner and banished him to the county of Shangyong. [3]

Identified modern serial killers

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Name Years active Proven victims Possible victims Status Summary Ref.
Bai Baoshan[a] 1996–1997[b] 15 17 Executed by shooting in 1998 In March 1996, Bai was released from prison after serving 13 years for a robbery-assault committed in 1983. Angered by his imprisonment, Bai began a crime spree, murdering police, soldiers, and civilians and committing robberies. He was aided by an accomplice, Wu Ziming, in some of the crimes. Bai would later kill Wu during a dispute over money. In September 1997, he was apprehended at his home in Beijing. According to Bai, he beat two inmates to death with a hammer during his first incarceration. [4]
Chen Fuzhao 2003 17 17 Executed by shooting in 2004 Dermatologist who mixed rat poison in drinks and gave them to beggars in Longgang, Zhejiang. [5]
Chen Yongfeng 2003 10 10 Executed in 2004 Man from Wenzhou who worked in waste recycling. Aware that his co-workers carried money, he lured them to his home over the course of four months on the pretext of selling waste items. He then killed them, stole their belongings, and dismembered the bodies. Eventually, he was caught during the act and sentenced to death. [6]
Cheng Peng[a] 1988–1995 6 6 Executed by shooting in 1995 Dog breeder from Yinchuan who murdered six people and fed some of the remains to his dogs. During his spree, Cheng and one of his dogs were featured in An Old Man and His Dog, which, after his arrest, led to the film's decades-long ban. [7]
Cheng Ruilong[a] 1996–2005 11 13 Executed by lethal injection in 2010 Robbed, raped, and murdered people for nine years across China, sometimes with accomplices, while living under a false identity. [8]
Dong Wenyu 2006 6 6 Executed by shooting in 2007 Active in four provinces, Dong killed six people, seriously injured another, raped women, and committed several robberies within three months. [9]
Du Runqiong,
Tang Youhua 		1995 18 18 Executed by shooting in 1996 (both) Superstitious mother and son who carried out mass poisonings between June and December 1995, resulting in the deaths of 18 people and thousands of animals. [10]
Duan Guocheng 1999–2001 13 13 Sentenced to death in 2003 Nicknamed the "Red-Dress Killer"; committed dozens of robberies and murdered young women walking unaccompanied at night through dimly lit streets in Wuhan. [11]
Fa Ziying,
Lao Rongzhi 		1996–1999 7 7 Executed by shooting in 1999 (Fa)
Executed by lethal injection in 2023 (Lao) 		Con artist couple who committed a series of crimes—involving kidnapping, robbery, and murder—between 1996 and 1999. Fa was arrested and executed in 1999, while Lao went on the run and was captured 20 years later. Lao was executed in 2023. [12]
Gao Chengyong 1988; 1994–2002 11 11 Executed in 2019 Known as the "Chinese Jack the Ripper"; raped and murdered 11 women over the course of 14 years. In some instances, he mutilated the victims postmortem, removing their hands, breasts, and reproductive organs. He was apprehended in 2016 after 14 years of inactivity, due to DNA evidence. [13]
Gong Runbo 2005–2006 6 28+ Executed by shooting in 2006 Between 1996 and 2004, Gong served a prison sentence for raping a 15-year-old girl. After his release, he murdered six children in Jiamusi over the course of 11 months and molested at least five others. While Gong was at an Internet café (where he had met most of his victims) on 28 February 2006, a boy escaped his apartment and notified the police. In his home, they discovered the decomposing remains of four children. He was then arrested and executed on 31 December. [14]
Guo Longhai 1995–2001 14 14 Executed by shooting in 2002 Served a prison sentence from 1983 to 1990 for raping a female co-worker. After his release, he began murdering women after becoming acquainted with them, which later escalated to rapes and murders of young girls and prostitutes. [15]
He Tiandai 2013–2014 10 10 Sentenced to death Nanny who fatally poisoned ten elderly people she was hired to take care of. [16]
Hu Daoping 2003–2005 7 7 Executed by shooting in 2006 Escaped from prison while serving a sentence for robbery. While on the run, he committed additional robberies, killing seven people in the process. [17]
Hua Ruizhuo 1998–2001 14 14 Executed by shooting in 2002 Murdered fourteen prostitutes in Beijing after discovering that his girlfriend was secretly working as one. [18]
Huang Yong 2001–2003 17 25+ Executed by shooting in 2003 Convicted of murdering 17 teenage boys in Henan, although he confessed to his final would-be victim that he killed "at least 25." His victims were lured from Internet cafés and arcades to his home on the pretext of job offers. [19]
Jia Jianhu 1998–2003 12 12 Executed by shooting in 2004 Murdered twelve prostitutes across China as revenge for perceived wrongs society had done to him. [20][21]
Li Guangjun 2006 7 7 Sentenced to death in 2007 After serving a lengthy prison sentence for rape, Li raped and murdered seven women in areas along National Highway 310 between February and November 2006. His first victim was his estranged wife's sister, whose home he visited to ask for help locating her. In a 2008 prison interview, Li claimed that he did not consider himself a murderer and said that he killed women who were "unfaithful to their husbands." [22][23]
Li Pingping[a] 1995; 2002–2003 7 7 Executed by shooting in 2004 Murdered his former manager, Song Shutian, in 1995, along with Song's wife and daughter. Between 2002 and 2003, he murdered four prostitutes he met outside of karaoke bars. [24]
Li Shikang 1999 6 6 Unknown Blamed doctors for being unable to cure his STD and held the paranoid belief that his children would be infected by regular contact. Due to this frustration, he sent bombs to the homes of doctors and a clinic, killing six and injuring 17 others. He was later apprehended, but the outcome of his trial is not publicly known. [25]
Li Wenxiang 1991–1996 13 13 Sentenced to death in 1996 Nicknamed the "Guangzhou Ripper"; murdered and mutilated impoverished sex workers. He was captured after one of his intended victims survived and identified him to the police. [26]
Li Yijiang 1994; 2002–2003 7 7 Executed by shooting in 2004 Committed his first murder at the age of 14. Later, in 2002, he was gang-raped by four men he had met through an online pornography website. After the rape, he lured each victim separately to their deaths. He also killed two others during this period. [27]
Li Zhanguo 1991–1995 11 11 Sentenced to death in 1995 Raped and murdered 11 mentally ill teenagers and young men in Henan. Sentenced to death and executed at an unknown date. [28]
Liu Mingwu 1992; 2001–2002 23 23+ Executed by shooting in 2002 Vagrant beggar who killed other beggars due to his hatred of the homeless, whom he described as being "dirty and smelly." After being spotted with a blood-stained knife, he freely confessed to the murders, though he said he had lost track of how many he killed. Investigators were able to tie him to a minimum of 23. [29][30]
Long Zhimin,
Yan Shuxia 		1983–1985 48 48+ Executed by shooting in 1985 (both) Long and his wife, Yan Shuxia, lured people into their home on the pretext of meeting high-paying employers, then killed them and buried their remains on the property. [31]
Luo Shubiao 1977; 1990–1994 19 19 Executed by shooting in 1995 Known as the "Rainy Night Butcher"; Luo murdered and mutilated prostitutes he picked up in Tianhe, Guangzhou, later dumping their bodies in isolated locations. He was also connected to an earlier murder in 1977. [32]
Qian Yongchang 1959; 1974; 1994–1995 15 15 Executed by shooting in 1995 Qian pushed a co-worker off a cliff in 1959 to cover up an affair. In 1974, after being released from prison for numerous thefts, he committed two robbery-murders. Later in life, he went on an extensive crime spree, killing 12 people in the process. [33]
Shen Changyin,
Shen Changping[a] 		1999; 2003–2004 11 11 Executed by lethal injection in 2006 (both) Cannibal brothers who murdered and ate the kidneys of 11 prostitutes with the help of four accomplices. [34]
Song Jinghua[a] 1996; 2005–2007 10 10 Executed by shooting in 2011 After being released from prison for murdering a taxi driver with his older brother in 1996, Song murdered nine women who reminded him of his brother's ex-girlfriend. She had testified at his brother's trial, and Song blamed her for his execution. Song, along with an accomplice, were both executed in 2011. [35]
Wang Qiang[a] 1995–2003[b] 45 46+ Executed by shooting in 2005 In 1990, Wang was beaten to near-death by a group of fellow beggars; he was then taken in by an older man, who taught him that "only by stealing would he get ahead." After following the man's advice, Wang was eventually arrested, and upon his release, he began a crime spree with the help of several accomplices. He was convicted of 45 murders, 10 rapes, and 34 robberies, but he confessed to and is suspected of being responsible for others, including a murder in 1992. [36][37]
Wang Wanming 1992–1998 20 20 Executed by shooting in 1999 Committed 52 rapes and 20 murders in Shaanxi in the 1990s. [38]
Wang Zongfang,
Wang Zongwei 		1983 20+ 20+ Killed during manhunt in 1983 (both) Brothers who went on a crime spree in 1983, killing civilians, police, and soldiers. Both shot dead in Guangchang County. [39]
Xu Guangcai 1987–1990 6 6 Executed by shooting in 1990 Lured six women from Beijing train stations by offering them jobs or asking them out for dinner, after which he would rape and murder them in remote fields. After police noticed a pattern in the murders, they began a sting operation. Xu was apprehended after attempting to murder an undercover officer and was sentenced to death. [40]
Yang Shuming 1992–1993; 1998–2004 9 9 Executed by shooting in 2006 Nicknamed the "Red-Clothed Killer" due to many of his victims having worn red at the time of their deaths. Yang murdered nine women in Kuangqu, Yangquan, taking a four-and-a-half-year break after the birth of his daughter. He targeted women walking alone at night, stabbing them from behind. His last intended victim survived, and he was apprehended after acting suspiciously during interrogation. [41]
Yang Xinhai 1999–2003 67 67 Executed by shooting in 2004 Nicknamed the "Monster Killer"; Yang was an itinerant laborer who served multiple prison sentences between 1988 and 1999. After his final release, he traveled the country and entered rural homes at night, killing entire families. During an unrelated police inspection of an entertainment venue in Cangzhou, Yang was apprehended. He freely confessed to the murders and allegedly said his motive was revenge against society as a result of a breakup. Later reports claimed that he simply enjoyed murder and quoted him as saying he had a "desire" to kill people. [42][43]
Zhang Jun[a] 1993–2000 28 28 Executed by shooting in 2001 Robbed 22 stores, killing 28 people and injuring 23 others in the process. Zhang was accompanied by others in some of the robberies. In April 2001, he was sentenced to death and executed a month later. [44]
Zhang Yongming 1979; 2008–2012 12 12 Executed in 2013 Cannibal who murdered eleven men near his home between 2008 and 2012, feeding some of the remains to his dogs and unsuspecting people at a local market, where it was sold as "ostrich meat." In his home, police discovered drying human flesh and eyeballs preserved in wine bottles. Zhang also served a sentence for intentional homicide in 1979. [45][46]
Zhao Zhihong 1996; 2000; 2005 11 11 Executed by shooting in 2019 Raped and murdered women between 1996 and 2005. His case is notable for the fact that an innocent man was convicted and executed for a murder he committed in a Hohhot restroom in 1996. [47]
Zhou Kehua 2004–2005; 2009–2012 10 10 Killed during manhunt in 2012 Arms trafficker and robber who murdered ten people across China. He was fatally shot by police in 2012 after being designated a class-A wanted criminal by the Ministry of Public Security. [48][49]
Zhou Wen 2003 6 6 Executed in 2004 Nicknamed the "Taxi Demon"; taxi driver from Anshan who strangled six female passengers with a rope. He wrote a diary for police detailing each of his crimes. [50]
Zhou Youping 2009 6 6 Executed in 2014 Strangled six men to death in hotels. Zhou met his victims on BDSM websites, advertising that he was looking for a "slave" to play erotic suffocation games with. [51]

See also

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Notes

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  1. ^ a b c d e f g h Had an accomplice or accomplices in some of the murders.
  2. ^ a b While this is the confirmed timespan, they are suspected to have begun killing years earlier.

References

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  1. ^
    • Holmes & Holmes 1998, Serial murder is the killing of three or more people over a period of more than 30 days, with a significant cooling-off period between the murders The baseline number of three victims appears to be most common among those who are the academic authorities in the field. The time frame also appears to be an agreed-upon component of the definition.
    • Petherick 2005, p. 190 Three killings seem to be required in the most popular definition of serial killing since they are enough to provide a pattern within the killings without being overly restrictive.
    • Flowers 2012, p. 195 in general, most experts on serial murder require that a minimum of three murders be committed at different times and usually different places for a person to qualify as a serial killer.
    • Schechter 2012, p. 73 Most experts seem to agree, however, that to qualify as a serial killer, an individual has to slay a minimum of three unrelated victims.
  2. ^ a b "More people suffer psychological crises". China Daily. April 21, 2004. Archived from the original on April 7, 2023. Retrieved 2024-06-10.
  3. ^ Records of the Grand Historian/Book of Han
  4. ^ "Top 10 Chinese criminals since 1949 - China.org.cn". China Internet Information Center. Retrieved 2024-06-10.
  5. ^ "邪教的罪恶——浙江苍南特大系列投毒杀人案纪实" [The evil of cults: a record of a series of major poisoning and murder cases in Cangnan, Zhejiang]. Sina (in Chinese). July 15, 2003.
  6. ^ "陈勇锋伏法记：因为一个消毒柜杀十名同行，被审问时说同情死者". new.qq.com. Archived from the original on October 13, 2022.
  7. ^ "宁夏"狗食人"案：主人杀人恶犬吃肉，被处决前还参演过电影" [Ningxia "dog cannibalism" case: the owner murdered and fed his victims to his vicious dog, and also participated in a movie before being executed] (in Chinese). Sohu. 13 April 2020. Archived from the original on 12 April 2022.
  8. ^ "Cheng Ruilong, murderer of 13, sentenced to death in final trial". Apple Daily (in Chinese). November 7, 2010. Archived from the original on June 21, 2021.
  9. ^ "强奸杀人犯董文语今日在浙江伏法(组图)" [Rapist and murderer Dong Wenyu was executed in Zhejiang today (Photos)] (in Chinese). 163. November 28, 2007. Archived from the original on March 5, 2016. Retrieved June 30, 2024.
  10. ^ "1995年广东高要投毒案：农妇无差别投毒致死18人，都是迷信惹的祸" [The 1995 Guangdong Gaoyao poisoning case: A peasant woman indiscriminately poisoned 18 people to death, all because of superstition] (in Chinese). Sohu. May 11, 2024.
  11. ^ "Chinese serial killer captured". The Daily Telegraph. August 15, 2001. Retrieved 2024-06-10.
  12. ^ Qin, Chuan (December 18, 2023). "人民热评：劳荣枝伏法彰显司法正义". People's Daily.
  13. ^ "China's 'Jack the Ripper' Gao Chengyong executed for murders". BBC News. 3 January 2019. Archived from the original on 3 January 2019. Retrieved 2024-06-10.
  14. ^ "Notorious serial killer sentenced to death in NE. China". China Daily. July 14, 2006. Archived from the original on November 21, 2023. Retrieved 2024-06-10.
  15. ^ "郭龙海覆灭记，夜晚奸杀女性，2001年，如何被军警生擒?" [The story of Guo Longhai's destruction, rape and murder of women at night, how was he captured by the military police in 2001?]. Sina (in Chinese). March 18, 2021. Archived from the original on November 1, 2022.
  16. ^ "毒保姆"自述杀老人:像喂小孩一样喂毒汤 (in Chinese). 30 December 2015. Archived from the original on 12 December 2018.
  17. ^ "Killer-Robber Suspect Caught in SW China Province". 15 September 2005. Retrieved 2024-06-10.
  18. ^ "Killing 14 prostitutes in a row because they are 'too dirty': mad demon Hua Ruizhuo is on trial today". Sina (in Chinese). November 21, 2001. Archived from the original on May 10, 2005.
  19. ^ "Execution for China serial killer". CNN. December 9, 2003. Archived from the original on December 3, 2023.
  20. ^ "太原：罪大恶极九罪犯昨被枪决(组图)" [Taiyuan: Nine criminals were executed yesterday for heinous crimes (Photos)] (in Chinese). Sohu. December 28, 2004. Archived from the original on January 13, 2022.
  21. ^ "难以置信！男子6年残杀12名卖淫女，却说是为了让她们得到解脱" [Incredible! This man killed 12 prostitutes in 6 years, but sait it was to free them] (in Chinese). Sohu. June 16, 2021. Archived from the original on January 13, 2022.
  22. ^ "Daughter begs dad not to kill mom". Sina (in Chinese). March 21, 2008.
  23. ^ "Revenge against women took 7 lives and a murderous confession: it only takes 2 seconds to kill a person". China Court Network (in Chinese). November 17, 2006.
  24. ^ "Li Pingping, the culprit in the murder and corpse mutilations case in Beijing, has been executed (photo)" (in Chinese). Xinhua News Agency. June 16, 2004.
  25. ^ Sexual ignorance led to bombings in China, The Guardian (December 14, 1999)
  26. ^ Schechter, Harold; Everitt, David (2012) [1996]. The A to Z Encyclopedia of Serial Killers. New York: Pocket Books. p. 99. ISBN 978-1-4165-2174-7. Retrieved 2022-08-14 – via Google Books.
  27. ^ "Executed genital slasher linked to porn site". The Sydney Morning Herald. 2004-08-27. Retrieved 2024-06-10.
  28. ^ "河南一桩男同性恋引发的伦理血案" [Bloody case caused by a gay man in Henan] (in Chinese). Sohu. December 6, 2021. Archived from the original on April 7, 2022.
  29. ^ ""乞丐杀手"刘明武：犯案潜逃沦落为乞丐，逃亡路上又连杀22人" ['Beggar Killer' Liu Mingwu: He absconded and became a beggar, and killed 22 people on the way] (in Chinese). Sohu. 24 August 2021. Archived from the original on 2 April 2022.
  30. ^ "安徽六安抓获一"乞丐杀手" 嫌犯酿下血案22宗" [A "beggar killer" was captured in Lu'an, Anhui. The suspect was responsible for 22 murders.] (in Chinese). Sohu. 30 August 2002. Archived from the original on 2 April 2022.
  31. ^ "The first major criminal case in New China was decrypted: Long Zhimin killed 48 people at home". China Police Network. Archived from the original on October 31, 2019.
  32. ^ "广州人皮日记案，雨夜狂魔，罗树标 (二)" [The Case of Guangzhou Ripper, The Rainy Night Butcher, Luo Shubiao (2)] (in Chinese). 163. November 8, 2021. Archived from the original on March 14, 2022. Retrieved March 14, 2022.
  33. ^ "回顾钱永昌：时间跨度最长的杀人犯，监狱老熟人，36年间6进6出" [Qian Yongchang: The murderer with the longest life span, an old acquaintance of prison, 6 in and 6 out in 36 years] (in Chinese). Sohu. Archived from the original on 9 April 2022.
  34. ^ Ji, Mi (2005-09-03). "Killer duo gets death". Shanghai Daily. Retrieved 2024-06-12.
  35. ^ "Serial killer murdered to avenge his brother". China Internet Information Center. 16 June 2011. Retrieved 2024-06-12.
  36. ^ 残杀45人，嗜血魔头没有父母没有家 (in Chinese). 家庭期刊集团 原载《家庭》2005年6期 文/肖 宁. 1 June 2005. Archived from the original on 5 May 2017. Retrieved 12 June 2024.
  37. ^ "辽宁连环杀人犯王强的双面人生：杀了人从来不跑". Sina. 7 April 2005. Retrieved 12 June 2024.
  38. ^ "1998年陕西采花大盗王万明：52名漂亮女子惨遭毒手，最小的才18岁" [1998 Shaanxi rapist Wang Wanming: 52 beautiful women were brutally raped, the youngest being only 18 years old] (in Chinese). Sohu. 9 March 2022. Archived from the original on 12 April 2022. Retrieved 12 June 2024.
  39. ^ "Top 10 Chinese criminals since 1949". China Internet Information Center. Retrieved June 13, 2024.
  40. ^ "许广才落网记：白天是好员工，夜晚是变态色魔" [Xu Guangcai's arrest: a good employee during the day, a sexist during the night] (in Chinese). new.qq.com. May 23, 2021. Archived from the original on April 6, 2022.
  41. ^ "老实人杨树明：在警察眼皮底下连杀9人，专挑红衣女，只为找刺激" [Honest man Yang Shuming: Killed 9 people under the police's nose, specifically targeting women in red, just for the thrill] (in Chinese). new.qq.com. January 25, 2022. Archived from the original on February 12, 2023.
  42. ^ "Man arrested on suspicion of killing 67 people in China". ABC News (Australia). 2003-11-15. Archived from the original on 2009-02-12.
  43. ^ "China executes mass murderer". BBC News. 2004-02-14. Archived from the original on 2004-06-07.
  44. ^ "从穷苦少年到杀人恶魔 张君梦想让整个中国发抖". Sina.
  45. ^ "Man arrested for killing 11 in SW China". Xinhua News Agency. May 27, 2012. Archived from the original on May 31, 2012.
  46. ^ "Flesh-selling killer cannibal put to death". The Standard. January 11, 2013. Archived from the original on July 17, 2015.
  47. ^ "Executed man given justice after 18 years". China Daily. December 15, 2014. Archived from the original on November 7, 2022. Retrieved 2024-06-13.
  48. ^ Paul Armstrong (2012-08-13). "Troops, police search for China's 'most wanted' robber". CNN. Retrieved 2024-06-13.
  49. ^ "Serial killer Zhou Kehua dead". China Internet Information Center. Retrieved June 13, 2024.
  50. ^ "'Taxi Demon' caught in China". The Sydney Morning Herald. 3 December 2003. Retrieved 13 June 2024.
  51. ^ Li Wen (September 16, 2014). "长沙一男歌手性虐致6人死亡被执行死刑" [A male singer was executed in Changsha for sexually abusing 6 people]. BBC News (in Chinese). Archived from the original on January 8, 2022.
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