A 24-year-old Chinese influencer known online as Jiang Xiaorou has died after suffering severe injuries in a traffic accident in July.
The influencer, whose real surname was Li, reportedly had about 1.28 million followers on Douyin. She became known online for a series of controversial videos, including one in which she was seen smashing a statue of Guanyin.
According to reports from Chinese-language media cited by ETtoday, Li was from Lanshan County in Yongzhou, Hunan province. News of her death emerged online several weeks after the accident, with reports saying she had remained critically ill in hospital.
Serious accident left influencer in critical condition
The accident reportedly happened in the early hours of July 15, when Li was travelling from Guangxi towards Guangzhou.
Reports said she sustained multiple serious injuries in the crash. A hospital diagnosis record reportedly described severe trauma, haemorrhagic shock, impaired blood clotting, damage to several organs and a serious brain injury.
Li was subsequently placed in intensive care and fell into a coma. She reportedly required ventilator support while receiving treatment for her injuries.
The news of her death initially circulated on social media, with a user claiming to be her assistant reportedly sharing information about her condition. The circumstances surrounding the accident and the exact cause of the crash were not detailed in the reports provided.
Death confirmed after weeks of treatment
On Aug. 10, staff from the intensive care department of the hospital reportedly confirmed that Li had previously been treated there. However, hospital staff said she was no longer at the facility at that point.
Later that same day, an official from Li’s home village reportedly confirmed that she had died.
Her death has since attracted attention online, partly because of her previous controversial content. One of the videos that brought her widespread attention showed her damaging a Guanyin statue, prompting criticism and discussion among viewers.
Li’s case has also renewed discussion surrounding influencers who create provocative or controversial content to attract attention online. With social media platforms allowing creators to reach millions of viewers, controversial clips can sometimes spread rapidly and remain associated with a creator long after they are published.
The circumstances of Li’s traffic accident, including what led to the crash and whether any other parties were involved, were not disclosed in the information available. Further details may emerge if authorities or her family provide additional information.