Taipei Woman Fatally Slashed by Ex-Boyfriend in Carpark Ambush
A 27-year-old nightclub hostess in Taipei’s upscale Xinyi District was brutally attacked and killed by her former boyfriend, in what police are calling a chilling case of domestic violence turned deadly. The victim, surnamed Gu, was ambushed on the evening of 30 July at the underground carpark of Vieshow Cinemas while on her way to work.
Authorities said the attacker, 22-year-old Liu, had been lying in wait inside the carpark. As soon as Gu appeared, Liu allegedly lunged at her with a bladed weapon, slashing her neck and abdomen. She collapsed in a pool of blood and lost all vital signs at the scene. Paramedics rushed her to Taipei Medical University Hospital, but she was later pronounced dead.
Suspect Arrested After Overnight Manhunt
Liu fled the scene in a car following the brutal assault. Acting swiftly, police from Xinyi Division launched a manhunt and managed to track him down in the Yilan township of Wujie. Officers arrested Liu and escorted him back to Taipei for further investigation. He is expected to face charges relating to premeditated murder and breaching a court-issued protective order.
Preliminary investigations revealed a disturbing pattern of abuse. Gu and Liu were formerly colleagues at a nightclub and had been living together. After their breakup, Liu allegedly became obsessive and aggressive, destroying Gu’s designer belongings, household items, and even showing up uninvited at her home and workplace.
Victim Had Filed Police Reports and Obtained Protection
In May 2025, Gu had filed police reports for harassment and threats, citing Liu’s increasingly violent behaviour. Just weeks prior to the attack, she was granted a protective order prohibiting Liu from approaching or contacting her. However, it appears the order did little to deter him.
Gu had voiced her fears on social media platform Threads, writing that Liu continued to harass her despite the order and warning her friends to be wary of his behaviour. Many of her followers urged her to avoid him at all costs, cautioning that such “dangerous exes” often escalate to violence.
Mayor Calls for Swift Justice
Taipei Mayor Chiang Wan-an has directed the city’s police chief to form a special task force to expedite the investigation and deliver justice. He vowed to ensure the public receives a transparent account of the tragedy and that the case would not be taken lightly.
This incident has sparked renewed calls in Taiwan for more robust enforcement of protective orders and stricter penalties for violent crime rooted in domestic relationships.