The execution of a former Chinese gaming executive and lawyer convicted of poisoning billionaire entrepreneur Lin Qi has reignited attention around one of China's most shocking corporate murder cases, linked to the global Netflix hit3 Body Problem.
Chinese authorities confirmed that Xu Yao was executed on 21 May 2026 after being found guilty of murdering Lin, founder of gaming company Yoozoo Games, through poisoning in late 2020. Lin died on Christmas Day that year at the age of 39 after reportedly suffering acute symptoms following the consumption of poisoned food.
The case drew international attention due to its connection with Netflix's adaptation of Liu Cixin's bestselling science-fiction trilogy, for which Yoozoo had secured screen rights years earlier.
Chinese authorities have reportedly executed Xu Yao, the former executive convicted of poisoning billionaire gaming entrepreneur Lin Qi in 2020.Lin Qi founded Yoozoo Games and was involved in bringing the sci-fi franchise 3 Body Problem to screen through rights owned by the...pic.twitter.com/nSBNtfPD87
Lin had built Yoozoo Games into one of China's most successful entertainment companies and played a key role in bringing the novelThe Three-Body Problemto international audiences.
Lin secured the adaptation rights to theThree-Bodyfranchise. As the founder of Yoozoo Games, he served as a posthumous executive producer on Netflix's3 Body Problem.
In 2020, Netflix acquired the rights to adapt the trilogy into a major television series produced by David Benioff and D. B. Weiss, the creators ofGame of Thrones.
Xu had reportedly been appointed to oversee Yoozoo's subsidiary, Three-Body Universe, which handled operations linked to the franchise. Chinese media reports stated that tensions escalated after Lin allegedly reduced Xu's authority and shifted business responsibilities to other executives.
Investigators later concluded that Xu orchestrated a deliberate poisoning scheme targeting Lin. Court proceedings revealed that multiple toxic substances were used.
Chinese media also reported thatseveral other employees were allegedly poisonedduring disputes within the company, although Lin's death became the centrepiece of thecriminal case.
Source: International Business Times UK
