China executes man who poisoned billionaire gaming tycoon linked to Netflix show

China has executed a former gaming executive convicted of poisoning billionaire Yoozoo Games founder Lin Qi, whose company secured the adaptation rights for the sci-fi series behind Netflix’s hit show 3 Body Problem.

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Xu Yao, a former executive at a Yoozoo Games subsidiary, was found guilty of murdering Lin in December 2020 after reportedly becoming angry over internal company disputes and being sidelined following the Netflix deal.

Local media reports said Xu spent large amounts of money obtaining toxic substances online, including alpha-amanitin, a deadly toxin found in poisonous mushrooms. Prosecutors said he disguised the poisons in probiotic pills, coffee capsules, water containers and whisky bottles shared with Lin and other employees.

Lin fell seriously ill in December 2020 and died days later at the age of 39. Several others reportedly became sick but later recovered. Xu was convicted in 2024 and executed on May 21, according to local reports. Yoozoo Games confirmed the execution in a statement on Weibo, saying justice had finally been served.

Lin Qi’s company was closely linked to The Three-Body Problem franchise, based on the bestselling novels by Chinese author Liu Cixin, which inspired Netflix’s 3 Body Problem series released in 2024.