Top Lawyer Spots Red Flags In Actor Yu Menglong’s Death Investigation

On September 11, the management team for actor Yu Menglong (also known as Alan Yu) confirmed that he had passed away at 37 years old. Since then, rumors about Yu’s death have gained traction.

Yu Menglong

With unbearable sorrow, we announce that our beloved Menglong fell to his death on September 11. Police have ruled out any criminality. We hope he rests in peace and his loved ones remain strong.

— Yu Menglong’s management

Internet sleuths have presented video clips as “evidence” that the actor’s fatal fall was not accidental, including one of Yu allegedly screaming. Another deleted video, which was screen-recorded by a netizen, is rumored to show the moments leading up to Yu’s death.

Alleged Clip Of Actor Yu Menglong Screaming Surfaces After His Death, Foul Play Suspicions Arise

On September 16, Yu’s mother publicly addressed his death. In her statement, she says Yu fell from the building after drinking alcohol and asked the public to refrain from speculation. Police have also cracked down on people spreading rumors. In Beijing, three women were detained on September 21 for “fabricated” information.

However, certain individuals fabricated and disseminated false information online to attract attention and boost traffic, splicing together fabricated videos that severely disrupted public order. The police have initiated an investigation in accordance with the law.

— Beijing Municipal Public Security Bureau

However, netizens aren’t the only ones expressing doubts about the case. In a viral, now-deleted post, Chinese actress Sun Lin wrote, “Your fans will fight for justice. Justice may be delayed, but it will never be absent.” After receiving anonymous online threats, she was injured on September 19 by a falling flowerpot while collecting a package.

Sun Lin | Tonboriday

I have been in the hospital since then. I am much better today, so I came out to explain. I did not want to cause panic. Thank you for your concern. I will be discharged tomorrow and show all the evidence of the hospital examination. Thank you for your concern and support.

— Sun Lin

Now, Taiwanese lawyer Yan Ruicheng is weighing in. Like many others, he has taken issue with how quickly Chinese authorities announced that there was “no criminal suspicion” surrounding Yu’s death. The official response was released within 12 hours of Yu’s passing.

| Tonboriday

“It would be impossible to close the investigation in such a short time,” Yan said, and drew attention to some potential illegalities, such as unlawful detention and evidence tampering. In particular, the evidence tampering could apply to a USB that reportedly contains sensitive data linked to Yu’s case, though the USB’s existence has not been confirmed. According to Yan, investigators could be charged with intimidation if they have coerced someone into handing the USB over or destroying evidence, if the USB has been destroyed.

If there really was unlawful detention, violence, and evidence tampering, then this isn’t just about one man’s tragedy. It’s a test for society itself – whether we choose to protect the vulnerable, or simply look away.

— Yan Ruicheng

Additionally, Yan warned that the investigation’s credibility would be “seriously weakened” if Yu’s body were cremated before it underwent a full autopsy. He underlined the seriousness of the proposed offenses by stating how long the offenders would be sentenced to prison (if the maximum prison term in Taiwan were not capped at 30 years).

If six people were involved, their combined sentences could total 500 years. If 17 people were involved, it could amount to as much as 1,500 years.

— Yan Ruicheng