Chinese authorities have executed a man who was found guilty of poisoning a famous billionaire businessman connected to the Netflix series 3 Body Problem.
The case shocked many people in China and around the world because it involved a successful gaming company, a popular science-fiction story, and a deadly business dispute.
The man who was executed was named Xu Yao. He once worked at a company called Yoozoo Games in Shanghai, China. The company became well known for video games and entertainment projects. Xu worked closely with the company’s founder, Lin Qi.
Lin Qi was a billionaire businessman. He helped buy the rights to the famous Chinese science-fiction book series The Three-Body Problem. The books were written by author Liu Cixin and became popular in many countries. Later, Netflix created the TV series 3 Body Problem based on the books.
Reports say the problem between Xu and Lin started after disagreements at work. Xu was reportedly upset because he felt pushed aside inside the company. Investigators said the argument became very serious after business decisions connected to the Netflix project.
Police discovered that Xu secretly bought dangerous chemicals online. One of the poisons was called alpha-amanitin, a deadly toxin found in poisonous mushrooms. Authorities said he hid the poison inside probiotic pills, coffee capsules, water bottles, and whisky bottles.
Lin Qi became sick in December 2020. Doctors later learned that he had been poisoned. Sadly, he died at the age of 39. Several other employees also became ill, but they survived.
The case received huge attention in China because Lin Qi was one of the country’s best-known gaming business leaders. Many people were surprised that a business conflict could turn into such a dangerous crime.
Chinese courts convicted Xu Yao in 2024. After the legal process ended, authorities carried out the execution on May 21, 2026, according to local media reports.
Yoozoo Games later released a public statement online. The company said justice had finally been served. Employees also thanked authorities for finishing the case.
The story has also brought more attention to 3 Body Problem. The science-fiction series tells the story of humanity facing threats from outer space.
The books became famous worldwide and were translated into many languages. The Netflix version was released in 2024 and gained millions of viewers.
Also read China executes man for poisoning billionaire linked to Netflix’s ‘3 Body Problem’.
Many fans of the books were saddened that Lin Qi never got the chance to see the full success of the Netflix show. He had worked hard to help turn the novels into movies and television projects.
The case also raised concerns about workplace pressure and business competition in large companies. Experts say disagreements should always be solved peacefully and legally. Violence can destroy lives, families, and businesses.
People across social media have continued discussing the shocking case. Some called it one of the strangest crimes linked to the entertainment industry in recent years.
Others said the story feels like something from a movie because of the secret poison plot and the connection to a famous sci-fi series.
The death of Lin Qi remains an important moment in China’s gaming and entertainment industry. Even years later, many people still remember him for helping Chinese science-fiction stories reach audiences around the world.
