Zhang Yiyang Becomes The First Celebrity To Receive Death Penalty In China For Murdering A Minor

The actor's execution was carried out by a firing squad.

Zhang Yiyang Becomes The First Celebrity To Receive Death Penalty In China For Murdering A Minor

In recent shocking news, Zhang Yiyang became the first Chinese singer and actor to be executed in China after being convicted of murdering his 16-year-old girlfriend. Details of the case were recently revealed by the Xianyang Intermediate People’s Court in Shaanxi. Read on to know more about this first instance of a Chinese celebrity being executed for committing a violent crime.

Why Was Zhang Yiyang Sentenced To Death

In 2022, Zhang Yiyang was allegedly lured a teenager to a secluded area in Xingping City. He had told the young girl that he was celebrating his birthday at the location. However, things went south when an argument between the two led to the girl wanting to end her relationship with Yiyang. The altercation ended up with Zhang Yiyang violently stabbing her in the neck with a folding knife.

Zhang Yiyang was then arrested and charged with Intentional homicide. The actor’s trial ended with him being sentenced to the death penalty. The execution was upheld even after the actor’s legal team appealed for a lighter sentence. Zhang Yiyang’s execution was carried out by a firing squad.

The death penalty of the 33-year-old actor quickly became national news and even went viral globally. The attention to the case was not only because of the unconventional sentence or the actor’s rising fame but also for the brutal nature of the crime that Yiyang had committed. Ever since his trial, the case of Zhang Yiyang has become one of the most high-profile murder cases in China in recent years.

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Before his crimes, the actor was seen as a promising talent in the Chinese entertainment industry and even had a growing fanbase and projects lined up.

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First Published: July 24, 2025 2:54 PM

Anadya Narain

This movie buff has a recommendation for every mood. She’s your go-to for all things pop culture - celebs, trends and everything in between!

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