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A Chinese man, identified only by his surname Li, has been sentenced to death for intentionally killing his wife by pushing her into the sea from a ferry, aiming to collect a life insurance payout worth 12 million yuan (US$1.6 million). The shocking crime, first reported by state broadcaster CCTV on November 21, has drawn widespread condemnation and sparked conversations about justice and morality in the country.
The crime occurred on May 5, 2021, during a ferry trip from Dalian, Liaoning province, to Yantai, Shandong province. According to reports, the victim, also surnamed Li, fell overboard into a blind spot of the ferry’s surveillance system, which has over 200 cameras. Her body was recovered after a 45-minute search. Initially, the husband claimed it was an accident, even appearing paralyzed with shock. However, forensic evidence, combined with suspicious behaviors, unraveled his calculated plot.
The investigation revealed that Li, a 47-year-old restaurant owner from Shanghai, had married the victim in October 2020, just six months before her death. The victim, a 46-year-old divorcee with two children, had been working at his restaurant since 2016. Despite their marriage, restaurant staff were unaware of their relationship, and neighbors remarked that the couple showed little sign of affection.
Police discovered that Li, who was deeply in debt - owing over one million yuan (US$140,000) - had taken out four life insurance policies for his wife shortly after their marriage. These policies stipulated that in the event of her death, especially in a transport-related incident, he would be the sole beneficiary.
Adding to the suspicions, Li seemed unusually eager to obtain his wife’s death certificate, citing local customs that required cremation within three days. The police, while appearing cooperative, secretly investigated his background and movements.
Surveillance footage enhanced by forensic experts showed that the victim had been pushed rather than falling accidentally. The analysis identified another person’s arm in the footage, which matched Li’s black suit. Moreover, bruises were found on the victim's face, further supporting the murder theory.
In a bizarre turn of events, Li solicited a prostitute just two weeks after his wife’s death. This encounter, arranged by the police in a hotel under surveillance, highlighted his lack of remorse and greed. During the investigation, authorities also uncovered that Li had a 19-year-old girlfriend.
In July 2022, Li was sentenced to death for intentional homicide by a lower court. He appealed, but the Liaoning Higher People’s Court upheld the verdict in December 2023. As of now, it is unclear whether the sentence has been carried out.
The case has sparked outrage and discussions online. One netizen remarked, “It is always the husband.” Another commented, “Those who lay traps for others often find themselves ensnared by their own schemes.”
Source: SCMP
