Following the passing of Chinese actor Yu Menglong on September 11, intense public scrutiny and a wave of sensational rumors are challenging the official police narrative regarding the circumstances of his death. Despite authorities in China maintaining that the actor’s demise was an accidental fall linked to alcohol consumption, hundreds of thousands of citizens are calling for an independent and comprehensive investigation into what truly transpired.
As of Tuesday, over 680,000 individuals have signed a petition demanding transparency and justice concerning the death of the star of The Moon Brightens For You. The significant public mobilization underscores deep skepticism surrounding the official conclusion of death by misadventure, which police sources assert showed no signs of criminal involvement.
Escalation of Unverified Claims
The vacuum of verified information has fueled an extraordinary proliferation of unsubstantiated and increasingly outlandish claims, dominating online discourse and headlines. Initial reports, which hinted at suspicious fatal injuries, have spiraled into shocking online allegations.
The most extreme of these claims emerged from a recent YouTube political commentator, who propagated a gruesome, unsubstantiated theory alleging mutilation and consumption of the actor’s remains by an unnamed director. While official names were withheld in the video, the commentator specifically highlighted the purported disappearance of filmmaker Du Qiang, leading to widespread speculation online. Unconfirmed social media chatter suggests Du Qiang may have fled to Taiwan under a false identity to elude law enforcement.
Other persistent, yet unverified, rumors have included claims of audio recordings capturing the actor’s distressed cries in the background of a video shared by actress Tian Hairong, allegations surrounding the suicide of his mother, and the existence of a leaked, unsanctioned autopsy report detailing multiple internal injuries predating death—a suggestion that contrasts sharply with the official accidental fall ruling.
Authorities Push Back Against Misinformation
In response to the uncontrolled dissemination of misinformation, Chinese authorities have taken action to curb the spread of rumors. Three individuals have reportedly been arrested and charged with spreading false information and generating public panic.
The official stance remains unchanged: Yu Menglong sustained fatal injuries in an accidental fall brought on by high alcohol intoxication. However, the sustained public pressure, evidenced by the massive petition and the continued global interest in the case, signals a significant lack of public trust in the thoroughness of the initial police probe.
The controversy highlights the pervasive challenge authorities face in managing information in the digital age, particularly when dealing with the deaths of high-profile figures. While the official investigation is considered closed, the robust public campaign for a reopened inquiry suggests that scrutiny over the actor’s final moments will continue until a truly transparent accounting of the facts is provided. The ultimate resolution of this case will set a key precedent for balancing state secrecy with public demand for accountability.