Cai Siyun, Vision Times
Two weeks have passed since 37-year-old mainland Chinese actor Yu Menglong mysteriously fell to his death, yet public interest in the case remains rife with tension, drawing both domestic and international attention and calls for justice. Recent claims on social media allege that dozens of residents at the Sunshine Upper East residential complex — where the incident occurred — were paid large sums to stay silent, with some even receiving death threats.
Reports further suggest that hospital staff leaked surveillance footage showing Yu being rushed to the emergency room on the night of his death.
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Alleged hush money and threats
On Sept. 25, popular YouTube blogger Li Muyang released what he described as a screenshot of a private group chat among residents of the Sunshine Upper East complex.
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One resident claimed: “Isn’t my home nearby? I saw Yu Menglong’s face that day — handsome, but a bit terrifying… Later, they contacted our family and gave us tens of thousands of yuan, telling us not to speak out… After a while, I saw a slim man in a white short-sleeved shirt covering Yu Menglong with something…”
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When asked if any sounds were heard, the resident first sent a shocked emoji, then replied: “Yes, the sound was extremely loud, like something falling… The property management said a family was throwing things around, told us not to worry…”
The whistleblower alleged that dozens of households received hush payments twice, each time totaling roughly one million yuan (about USD $140,000), adding up to hundreds of millions across the complex. He said he asked a friend to share the information before deleting his account, hinting at even more extreme details he dared not disclose for fear of being censored, retaliated against, or worse.
Another source added: “Insiders received various death threats, including red paint thrown at doors and car tires slashed, just to keep them silent.”
A tangled web
These accounts suggest that wrongdoers either bribed or intimidated residents in order to prevent the truth from spreading. Li Muyang noted that while hundreds of millions of yuan is a massive sum for ordinary families, it is insignificant to the main suspect, Tian Hairong, who allegedly sits on assets exceeding 10 billion yuan.
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A netizen claimed: “Widow Capital Tian Hairong controls 13 billion yuan. Her ex-husband, Xu Ming of Dalian Shide Group, died in prison. They bought news coverage, and a month ago they were already hinting that ‘Three Lives,’ ‘Three Worlds,’ ’10 Miles of Peach Blossoms’ would have a big scandal.” He added that with 13 billion yuan, Tian Hairong could easily spend tens of millions to suppress negative news and squash rumors surrounding Yu’s death.
Hospital footage and second autopsy
The same netizen said hospital staff secretly leaked surveillance footage. On the night of the incident, Yu was taken to the emergency room at 2:58 a.m.; but by 3:12 a.m., resuscitation had failed. In fact, he was already deceased upon arrival, sources say. At 3:20 a.m., his agency went by to collect his belongings, and at 3:45 a.m., a masked woman was seen rifling through a trash bin outside the hospital. According to a nurse, the woman ended up taking a bottle.
Additional claims from a second autopsy revealed disturbing details: Puncture marks on Yu’s chest (suggesting an injection-style execution), prohibited substances in his stomach, and skin tissue under his fingernails that reportedly did not belong to him, pointing to potential foul play.
Impact on real estate
The insider also reported that properties in the Sunshine Upper East complex were put up for sale shortly after the incident, causing prices to drop by as much as 8 million yuan since Yu’s death. Data from Zhihu shows that on Sept. 23, 93 units were sold at low prices, increasing to 157 units by Sept. 24. Residents, fearing for their safety, rushed to leave.
Netizens commented: “People are selling their apartments because they fear they could disappear at any moment, and because the complex is full of resentment.” Others warned: “Hush money like this should never be accepted. Such payments are always marked; once the heat dies down, the money must be returned — and often at the cost of one’s life.”
Online, many netizens expressed grief and anger for Yu Menglong and demanded accountability over his mysterious demise. Comments included:
Hong Kong starlet Jenny Tseng speaks out
Yu’s death rocked the entertainment world as well. While authorities labeled it an accident caused by intoxication, videos allegedly showing him being abused and assaulted, fueled public doubts. Veteran Hong Kong singer Jenny Tseng broke her silence, posting multiple messages in support of Yu and questioning possible dark dealings behind the scenes.
Tseng wrote: “Just looking at the window shows it wasn’t suicide!” She added, “The entertainment world is rebelling, yet the upper echelon is full of murderous intent — 2025 has been even harder…” She continued: “It’s not a complicated case — just a collaborative plot to kill a defiant child,” implying Yu was targeted for resisting exploitation in the industry.
Calling the entertainment world cruel, Tseng likened it to “Squid Game” and accused investors of being willing to “play you to death.” She demanded authorities act, disclose the autopsy report, and investigate the property owner and those involved. “I believe evil cannot triumph over good,” she declared.
Beyond speaking out for Yu, Tseng also expressed compassion for his mother: “Mom, don’t be sad. Please take care. If fate allows, you’ll be together in the next life.”
Hua Chenyu’s tribute
According to “Zaokua Life,” many in the industry paid tribute after Yu’s death, including singer Hua Chenyu, who quietly mourned with a candle image on social media. The two became close friends after competing in the 2013 “Happy Boys” talent show, where Yu placed 10th and Hua won first place.
At a recent music festival in Foshan, Hua performed “I Really Want to Come Back,” with visuals showing a falling figure and shattered glass. Netizens speculated this was a subtle tribute to Yu.
Fans reacted with emotional tributes for Yu online: “That hand on the stage background reaches out and catches the falling figure — it made me cry instantly. He (Hua Chenyu) must have wanted to reach out for him (Yu Menglong) at the time.”
Others commented: “People ask why Hua didn’t speak out; it’s heartbreaking. Menglong was his good friend! If the situation weren’t so serious, of course he would speak.”
Some also worried for Hua’s well-being: “He’s really hurting, but this is the only way he can voice his grief. I’m a bit worried because his lyrics contain details. Remember Benxi (Mainland singer Ma Xiaocheng, who died after alluding to Qiao Renliang in a song)? That’s how it ended for him.”
Growing calls for justice
Following Yu’s death, many in China and abroad have spoken out. Actor Li Tingzhe urged attendees of the dinner on the night of the incident to come forward, only to be threatened. Actress Sun Lin was injured by a falling flower pot after speaking on Yu’s behalf. Screenwriter Wang Yucen also received death threats.
Director Wang Zhaoda openly warned during his livestream that if he ever disappeared, it would be due to foul play. Yu’s mentor, entertainment critic Song Zude, condemned media silence as “insane and heartless,” but his post was deleted within five minutes. Activist “Lin Beichuan” was also threatened after defending Yu.
On Sept. 23, protesters gathered in front of the Chinese Consulate in Los Angeles, chanting: “Down with the Communist Party! Down with Xi Jinping!” and demanded justice over China’s controversial human rights track record.
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That same day, BBC published a front-page report titled “China’s Actor Yu Menglong Falls to His Death: Why Do Citizens Continue to Question the Official Account?” It noted that officials swiftly closed the case, addressing rumors but withholding details. The report highlighted ongoing debate over whether Yu’s death was suicide, whether he was pressured by hidden industry rules, and whether elites were involved.
Despite widespread censorship on platforms like Weibo, Kuaishou, and Xiaohongshu, citizens continue to demand the truth.