Chinese actor Zhang Yiyang executed for murder of 16-year-old girlfriend, becomes first actor to receive death penalty in Mainland China: Report

Chinese actor Zhang Yiyang (33) has made grim headlines by becoming the first known celebrity from Mainland China’s entertainment industry to be executed for a criminal offence. Zhang was convicted of the brutal murder of his 16-year-old girlfriend and was executed by firing squad on December 18, 2024, following the rejection of his appeal by the Xianyang Intermediate People’s Court in Shaanxi province.

According to reports by Koreaboo and Dimsumdaily Hong Kong, the horrifying incident occurred on February 26, 2022. Zhang allegedly lured the teenage girl, identified only by her surname Zhang, to a remote forest area in Xingping City under the pretext of celebrating his birthday. During the meeting, a heated altercation ensued after the girl expressed her desire to end their relationship.

In a violent rage, Zhang Yiyang reportedly attacked her with a folding knife, repeatedly stabbing her in the neck. The fatal injuries severed both her carotid artery and windpipe, ultimately causing her death through mechanical asphyxiation.

In a chilling attempt to conceal his crime, Zhang is believed to have staged the scene to resemble a suicide. He then attempted to end his own life but survived and was taken into custody by local authorities. The news of the murder sent shockwaves across China, not only because of the heinous nature of the act but also due to Zhang’s public persona. At the time, Zhang was seen as a promising figure in the entertainment industry, having appeared in several television and web dramas.