By Cai Siyun, Janet Huang, Vision Times
The shocking death of mainland Chinese actor Yu Menglong has stunned audiences at home and abroad, sparking waves of speculation, anger, and grief. In recent days, more details have continued to surface about the tragic passing of the 37-year-old star. Now, audio recordings allegedly capturing the moment Yu’s abdomen was cut open to retrieve a USB drive — along with video reportedly filmed by a neighbor through a peephole — have surfaced online, adding disturbing new layers to the grim case.
On Sept. 20, the X (formerly Twitter) account “News Investigation,” which has closely tracked developments in the Yu case, released several submissions from netizens. These included the purported audio of Yu being cut open to remove a USB drive, as well as video allegedly recorded by a neighbor that appears to show the assailant in action.
In the audio clip said to capture the extraction, the voices are faint but still recognizable. The assailant can reportedly be heard shouting: “Spit it out!” and “Cut open his stomach for me!” while Yu’s weakened voice and the comments of others nearby can also be discerned. In another clip, the attacker yells: “Don’t mind him, he won’t die!”
New footage of Yu’s ordeal
“News Investigation” also released video that appears to show Yu being moved from the Bulgari Hotel to another site, the Sunshine Upper East residential complex. By that time, Yu was already battered and exhausted, dragged along by several assailants. A neighbor is said to have filmed the process through a peephole.
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In the footage, a woman at the back can be seen holding up her phone to record. “News Investigation” then identified her as Song Yiren, “described as a pimp” who was on the party guest list, and even posted a comparison photo to support the claim.
The revelations triggered a flood of online comments:
- “Aren’t they afraid of retribution?”
- “Such a dark society!”
- “The neighbor is in danger — they could easily be tracked.”
- “All the videos in China have been deleted.”
Another clip shared by “News Investigation” allegedly shows Yu attempting to escape in a parking lot, only to be caught by actor Fan Shiqi. According to the post, Fan brutally beat Yu before dragging him into a car.
The publisher explained that the most sensitive portion of the footage was withheld, but suggested it contained even more graphic and violent scenes. The incident is believed to have taken place before Yu was pushed from the building for the first time. Though badly injured, Yu reportedly still had the strength to struggle and attempt escape.
Messages of betrayal
Whistleblowers also released screenshots of messages Yu allegedly sent to Fan Shiqi, expressing his anguish and frustration at being deceived by someone he trusted: “You are the person I trust most, I had no defense against you — why did you deceive me into this trap?”
“Why did you trick me into going out, knowing I wouldn’t be on guard when I took your call? Why did you stop me from leaving? Was the alcohol that day that good? Watching me being bullied — did it make you happy? The black earrings look nice, the four-cornered briefs are also good! Heaven really has no eyes!”
Netizens quickly connected the dots:
- “Fan is the one with the black earrings.”
- “It seems Fan Shiqi lured him into the trap.”
Others expressed outrage:
- “These people are scarier than Southeast Asian scam syndicates!”
- “Some people forget even their own relatives when money is involved.”
- “Monsters!”
“News Investigation” also posted a photo of Fan Shiqi with fellow entertainer Xin Qi, noting that the two debuted together on “Happy Boys” (Kuai Le Nan Sheng) and have remained close for 12 years.
The blogger suggested that jealousy may have motivated Fan Shiqi, speculating that Fan resented Yu Menglong’s appearance, opportunities, and favor with powerful backers. It is further alleged that Fan not only lured Yu to the drinking party but also took part in the USB extraction, later catching and beating him when he tried to flee.
The blogger reflected grimly: “What kind of hatred does it take to do something like this! A disguised friend can often be deadly — a single move, and it’s over.” He also added that after Yu’s death, many of his professional resources would likely shift to Fan Shiqi, potentially making him the main beneficiary.
Netizens react to censorship
Yu Menglong’s death has ignited widespread sympathy and anger online. On Sept. 18, the seventh day after his fall, discussion flared up once more. That evening, the official “Beijing Cultural & Tourism” Douyin account (a popular blogging and social media app in China) hosted a livestream introducing autumn attractions in Beijing.
Tens of thousands of netizens seized the opportunity to flood the comments with messages demanding justice for Yu, generating more than 700,000 posts in a matter of hours.
Many comments were laced with sarcasm:
- “Did you get a full package?”
- “Did he land in a box?”
With posts about Yu’s death being deleted across Weibo, Douyin, and Xiaohongshu, the tourism livestream briefly became one of the only visible spaces where people could collectively protest.
But the moment was short-lived. By midnight, the comment section had been wiped clean. According to users, the 700,000+ comments were forcibly removed, and in some cases, the ability to comment at all was disabled.
Outraged netizens left messages on other platforms:
- “They even dare to close the comments — does that show guilt?”
- “Are we not even allowed to say a few words?”
This confrontation in the comment section highlighted not only the public’s demand for answers but also the increasingly visible clash between grassroots expression and official censorship. For many, it became yet another sign of the deep distrust and anger surrounding Yu Menglong’s tragic death.
