Current:Home > NewsFormer gaming executive sentenced to death in poisoning of billionaire Netflix producer in China -Wealth Pursuit Network
Former gaming executive sentenced to death in poisoning of billionaire Netflix producer in China
View
Date:2025-04-15 08:27:54
A former executive at Yoozoo Games was sentenced to death on Friday in the 2020 poisoning of the founder of the high-profile Chinese gaming company, which has links to Game of Thrones and the new Netflix series, "The Three-Body Problem."
Xu Yao poisoned the food of company founder Lin Qi in December 2020 because of a dispute over the running of the business, the Shanghai First Intermediate People's Court said. The Hollywood Reporter, citing local media, reported at the time Lin was allegedly sickened by a cup of poisoned pu-erh tea.
Lin, who was 39, died about 10 days later. Police detained Xu a few days after Lin's death.
Four other people were sickened but did not die after Xu poisoned beverages in the office between September and December 2020 because of disputes with two of them, the court said in a statement.
Yoozoo owns the film rights to "The Three-Body Problem," a best-selling Chinese science fiction trilogy, and Xu headed up a subsidiary in charge of business related to it, according to Chinese media reports.
In September 2020, the company granted Netflix the right to produce an adaptation of the trilogy, Chinese state media reported at the time. It is produced by "Game of Thrones" creators David Benioff and D.B. Weiss, and Lin was listed as an executive producer on the series.
Yoozoo, also known as Youzu Interactive, developed "Game of Thrones: Winter Is Coming," a game based on the TV series.
In 2000, Lin ranked No. 870 among China's richest entrepreneurs with a net worth of 6.8 billion yuan ($1 billion), according to Hurun Report, which follows China's wealthy.
After Lin died, the BBC reported that his company issued an emotional statement on its official Weibo microblog.
"Goodbye youth," it said, adding, "We will be together, continue to be kind, continue to believe in goodness, and continue the fight against all that is bad."
- In:
- Netflix
- Death Penalty
- China
veryGood! (15)
Related
- At site of suspected mass killings, Syrians recall horrors, hope for answers
- A woman sues Disney World over severe injuries on a water slide
- New Zealand routs England in Cricket World Cup opener to gain measure of revenge for 2019 final
- Child gun deaths and fatal drug poisonings skyrocketed over past decade, researchers find
- Taylor Swift makes surprise visit to Kansas City children’s hospital
- Auto, healthcare and restaurant workers striking. What to know about these labor movements
- The average long-term US mortgage rate surges to 7.49%, its highest level since December 2000
- Nearly 50 European leaders stress support for Ukraine at a summit in Spain. Zelenskyy seeks more aid
- Gen. Mark Milley's security detail and security clearance revoked, Pentagon says
- Olympic Skater Țara Lipinski Expecting First Baby With Husband Todd Kapostasy Via Surrogate
Ranking
- Most popular books of the week: See what topped USA TODAY's bestselling books list
- What Congress accomplished with McCarthy as speaker of the House
- Suspect in helmeted motorcyclist’s stomping of car window in Philadelphia is jailed on $2.5M bail
- Billboard Latin Music Awards 2023: The Complete List of Winners
- Behind on your annual reading goal? Books under 200 pages to read before 2024 ends
- Powerball jackpot rises to estimated $1.4 billion after no winners Wednesday
- A commercial fisherman in New York is convicted of exceeding fish quotas by 200,000 pounds
- Jamie Foxx Mourns Death of Friend Keith Jefferson at 53
Recommendation
How to watch new prequel series 'Dexter: Original Sin': Premiere date, cast, streaming
Man, 77, meant to sell ill-gotten erectile drugs in sprawling Florida retirement community, feds say
What Congress accomplished with McCarthy as speaker of the House
Paris is having a bedbug outbreak. Here's expert advice on how to protect yourself while traveling.
Why we love Bear Pond Books, a ski town bookstore with a French bulldog 'Staff Pup'
2030 World Cup will be held in six countries across Africa, Europe and South America
Josh Duhamel Reveals the Real Reason Behind Fergie Breakup
Dozens killed in Russian missile strike on village in eastern Ukraine, officials say