A man in China has been executed following the fatal assault of his 25-year-old wife, after a court dismissed his appeal against the death sentence. The case has drawn widespread attention across Chinese social media, shining a harsh spotlight on the devastating consequences of domestic violence and the vulnerabilities faced by women trapped in abusive marriages.
The convicted man, Jin Hao, carried out the brutal attack on his wife, Liu Mingyao, after returning home from a night of drinking. The violence was triggered when Liu discovered a flirtatious phone conversation between Hao and another individual. Upon confronting him, she was subjected to a sustained and savage assault that would ultimately claim her life.
According to reports, Hao repeatedly punched and kicked Liu in the head for more than ten minutes, continuing even after she had lost consciousness. The prolonged and deliberate nature of the attack formed a central part of the prosecution’s case, with authorities classifying the killing as intentional homicide.
A Desperate Final Message Before the Attack
In a heartbreaking detail that emerged during proceedings, Liu had sent a text message to her mother-in-law describing what was happening during the incident. Her in-laws subsequently came to the home to check on her. However, Hao deceived them, claiming that Liu was asleep. Satisfied with his explanation, his parents left after approximately 15 minutes — unaware of the true condition of their daughter-in-law.
Hao then retired to his room. It was not until around 7am that he noticed Liu was no longer breathing. He contacted emergency services, and was subsequently arrested by police. Investigators later pieced together the full sequence of events, building a case that would ultimately result in a capital sentence.
In a troubling postscript to the story, Hao’s mother was also taken into custody and sentenced to more than two years in prison. Authorities found that she had visited the home after learning of Liu’s death and proceeded to clean the scene, destroying blood-stained evidence in an apparent attempt to protect her son.
A Pattern of Abuse That Was Never Stopped
The case revealed a deeply disturbing history of domestic violence that had been ongoing well before the fatal incident. Chinese media reports indicated that Hao had begun assaulting Liu just days after the couple got married, establishing a pattern of abuse from the very outset of the relationship.
Despite the persistent violence, Liu remained in the marriage largely out of concern for the couple’s child. Her family had urged her on multiple occasions to seek a divorce, but she reportedly feared that Hao would be awarded custody of the child if the marriage ended through legal proceedings. This fear, combined with her financial dependence on Hao following her decision to leave employment after giving birth, left her with few perceived options.
The case underscores a grim reality faced by many victims of domestic abuse — that financial control and fears over child custody can become powerful tools of coercion, preventing survivors from leaving dangerous situations even when the threat to their safety is severe.
Justice Delivered, But at a Tragic Cost
On 9 December 2025, a Chinese court handed down the death penalty after convicting Hao of intentional homicide. He subsequently filed an appeal, which was dismissed by the courts. On 3 April 2026, the sentence was carried out.
Liu’s child is currently being cared for by her parents, who are raising their grandchild following the tragedy. The case has reignited public debate in China around domestic violence legislation, support systems for abuse victims, and the social pressures that discourage women from leaving harmful relationships.
Advocacy groups working in the field of women’s rights and family violence prevention continue to stress the importance of early intervention, accessible legal aid, and stronger enforcement of protective orders for those at risk. Liu’s story, whilst devastating, has become a focal point for renewed calls to strengthen protections for vulnerable individuals facing violence within the home.