China executes man who poisoned billionaire behind Netflix’s sci-fi series 3 Body Problem

A Chinese lawyer convicted of poisoning billionaire gaming executive Lin Qi, one of the producers behind Netflix’s sci-fi series 3 Body Problem, has reportedly been executed, according to Chinese state media.

Xu Yao was found guilty of killing his employer, Lin Qi, in 2020 by giving him what appeared to be probiotic pills that allegedly contained deadly toxins. Reports indicate the substances were acquired through the dark web and prepared in a private laboratory Xu had set up himself.

Earlier that year, Xu had assisted Lin in securing adaptation rights for The Three-Body Problem, part of the internationally acclaimed science-fiction trilogy written by Liu Cixin.

Chinese reports state that Xu was executed last Thursday, nearly two years after a Shanghai court sentenced him to death for murder. The news was first published by Chinese state-linked outlet Economic Observer, citing sources familiar with the matter.

Following the reports, Three Body Universe, the company established to manage and develop the trilogy’s intellectual property, released a statement expressing gratitude for what it described as justice being served.

Lin Qi, who founded Yoozoo Games, was credited as an executive producer when Netflix released 3 Body Problem in 2024. The businessman had long been known as a passionate supporter of the franchise and reportedly hoped to expand it into a major global entertainment property.

Lin died in December 2020 at the age of 39 after suddenly falling ill while returning home from Yoozoo Games’ headquarters in Shanghai. He reportedly admitted himself to hospital but died 10 days later on Christmas Day.

Chinese media reports indicated that toxicology tests detected several dangerous substances in his body, including mercury compounds and tetrodotoxin.

Investigators later identified Xu as the primary suspect. According to court findings, the poisoning stemmed from disputes related to company management and internal conflicts.

The case attracted widespread attention in China because of the elaborate nature of the alleged plot. Reports stated that Xu drew inspiration from the television series Breaking Bad and allegedly built a laboratory in suburban Shanghai where he experimented with numerous toxic chemicals.

Authorities claimed he purchased more than 100 toxic substances online and tested combinations on animals. Prosecutors also alleged that he poisoned beverages belonging to company executives he had disagreements with, resulting in several colleagues becoming ill, although they survived.

Investigators further claimed Xu established a trading company in Japan to help obtain hazardous chemicals and used numerous phone numbers during the operation.

Between September and December 2020, he allegedly tampered with coffee capsules, whisky bottles, and water bottles in office spaces using methylmercury chloride and other toxic compounds before eventually preparing the fatal substance in pill form and giving it to Lin Qi.