On September 11, 2025, news of the sudden passing of beloved Chinese actor Yu Menglong sent shockwaves across the nation. The hashtag #YumenglongHasPassed exploded on Weibo, China’s equivalent of Twitter, as millions of fans desperately sought details. But almost as quickly as the news spread, it vanished. Posts, tributes, and discussion threads about the 37-year-old star were systematically scrubbed from the internet, swallowed by the country’s infamous censorship apparatus.

In a nation ranked among the world’s most censored, equipped with an estimated 700 million surveillance cameras monitoring nearly every public space, the sudden erasure surrounding a popular figure’s demise was deeply unsettling. Why, many asked, was the state seemingly trying to bury the story of Yu Menglong? What truth were they so desperate to hide?

The official explanation came swiftly and was starkly simple: Yu Menglong’s passing was an accident. Authorities concluded their investigation within hours, stating he tragically fell due to his trousers. Case closed. But for fans, friends, and family, this explanation felt insultingly inadequate, especially given the disturbing details that began leaking out despite the censorship.

Yu Menglong, born June 15, 1988, in Shenyang, wasn’t from an elite background. His relatable, humble origins endeared him to millions. Raised by a fitness coach father and a former music teacher mother, he learned piano, singing, discipline, and a strong work ethic. He entered the entertainment world through reality shows and singing competitions like “My Show, My Style” (2007) and “Happy Boys,” where he placed in the top 10.

His transition to acting was gradual but persistent. After years of taking various roles, his part in “Go Princess Go” caught the attention of directors, leading to his breakthrough leading role in the 2017 hit drama “Eternal Love.” His fame skyrocketed, followed by numerous television appearances. Despite his success, those close to him described Menglong as humble, professional, intensely private, and rarely involved in scandals. When not working, he cherished time with his two beloved dogs.

In 2025, Menglong was busier than ever, filming two movies simultaneously. His abrupt passing left fans heartbroken and bewildered. The official “accident” narrative clashed violently with emerging accounts of his final hours and his own terrified last words. According to various sources, on September 10, Menglong attended a private gathering at a friend’s apartment in the Sunshine Upper East Complex in Beijing.

Attendees reportedly numbered around 16 or 17 people. While the atmosphere was initially convivial, some noticed Menglong seemed unusually anxious and distressed. Known for being health-conscious and a light drinker, especially before work, he reportedly consumed a large amount of alcohol that night, despite having filming scheduled the next day. At one point, he secluded himself in a room.

Around 2:00 a.m. on September 11, residents in the complex heard a loud scream followed by a heavy thud. Accustomed to noise, many didn’t investigate immediately. It wasn’t until around 6 a.m. that Menglong’s cold body was discovered outside.

The questions surrounding his passing intensified dramatically when his distraught mother released his final, frantic messages to her. One viral text read: “Yes, mother, the money they sent… I want to vomit. This money is dirty money, I’m not kidding. I’m not hallucinating either, but they might [take my life].”

Adding fuel to the fire were widespread rumors and alleged screenshots of CCTV footage suggesting Menglong was abused before his passing. Some who claimed to have seen a longer video alleged he didn’t stay at the party all night but was forcibly taken from the Beijing Bulgari Hotel to the apartment complex, appearing weak and injured. They claimed he was forced to drink excessively. While the authenticity of this footage remains unverified—easily dismissed by authorities given the official “accident” ruling—it resonated with a public deeply suspicious of the state’s narrative.

The swift closure of the investigation—reportedly in just six hours—alarmed many, including a lawyer in Taiwan who called for transparency from Chinese authorities. Why, in a country under constant surveillance, was there no CCTV footage released from the apartment complex? Was it damaged, or deliberately erased? The official autopsy report also remained conspicuously absent from the public domain.

However, an alleged leaked autopsy document surfaced online, claiming Menglong had suffered horrific abuse, including violation and multiple injuries, before his passing. Like the CCTV claims, its legitimacy could not be confirmed. A supposed hospital staff member added another layer, claiming Menglong was rushed to the hospital around 2:58 a.m. but was declared de@d on arrival shortly after. This account alleged that individuals from his agency arrived minutes later, collected his belongings, and a masked woman was seen searching trash bins outside.

Five days after his passing, Menglong’s agency and his mother issued a joint statement reaffirming the official “accident” narrative. His mother stated the family accepted the authorities’ conclusion and pleaded with the public to stop speculating, wanting her son’s soul to rest in peace. Authorities followed with a second statement, insisting they had thoroughly investigated, reviewed all available footage and witness accounts, found no illegal activity among those at the party, and urged the public to accept the family’s stance. They also announced the detention of three women for spreading “false information,” including rumors of torture and government control over the family.

But the public remained unconvinced. Despite relentless censorship on Weibo, fans inside and outside China continued to demand answers. An online petition called for justice, urging international media to cover the suspicious circumstances. The core belief held by millions: Yu Menglong was silenced.

Speculation coalesced around a terrifying theory involving powerful figures. The name Kai Qi, one of China’s top seven officials and a trusted confidant of leader Xi Jinping, surfaced repeatedly. As a high-ranking member of the Politburo Standing Committee and Director of the CCP General Office, Qi oversees aspects of state security and surveillance. If anyone could make evidence disappear, it was him.

Rumors claimed two attendees at the party were Qi’s illegitimate children: Shin Chi and Kai Jiang, known members of the “princeling” elite. Shin Chi, allegedly the CEO of Chunyu Media (the state-owned company managing Menglong since 2013), was accused of being the mastermind. Allegations suggested Shin Chi controlled Menglong’s career tightly, even creating fake fan groups to manipulate him and prevent him from leaving the agency.

Actress Song Qian (Victoria Song), Menglong’s neighbor, was also implicated, accused of inviting him to the fateful party. A hacker allegedly accessed her phone, finding a video of Menglong being punished, though this video quickly vanished online. Song Qian vehemently denied involvement, threatening legal action against accusers. However, the most intense backlash focused on actor Fan Shiqi. Leaked video screenshots purportedly showed him chasing a weakened Menglong, physically assaulting him, and forcing him back into a car when he tried to escape. Calls to boycott Fan Shiqi’s work flooded the internet.

The alleged motive behind this conspiracy? Money laundering. According to widespread online reports, Menglong discovered his name and phone number were being used without his knowledge to register over a dozen shell companies involved in dubious activities, possibly including illicit arms dealing. He allegedly collected evidence of these illegal operations, potentially involving his own agency, onto a USB drive.

The theory posits that the party on September 10 was actually a high-stakes business meeting involving billions. Menglong, upon realizing the illicit nature of the dealings, refused to participate and threatened to expose them. The powerful attendees, fearing exposure and imprisonment—especially Shin Chi, fearing implicating his father Kai Qi—decided Menglong had to be eliminated.

Adding to the chilling narrative, fans claimed Menglong used the international distress hand signal (540) during his final live stream on September 10. He also allegedly appeared injured and cryptically warned viewers that if anything happened to him, they should not believe it was an accident, before the stream abruptly ended. Audio recordings purportedly captured Menglong’s weak voice and someone discussing his stomach, alleging he had swallowed the crucial USB drive.

In the aftermath, Menglong’s mother vanished from public view after her joint statement. Whistleblowers claimed residents in the apartment complex received substantial hush money, leading many to sell their apartments and refuse interviews. Yet, defiance flickered. Menglong’s close friend, musician Wang Chenyu, paid tribute during a music festival with imagery depicting a falling figure. Hours later, Chenyu’s personal information was leaked online—a clear threat to anyone daring to speak out.

Despite the danger, the public, both within China and globally, continues to piece together clues, refusing to accept the official narrative. As long as the police report stands, ruling Yu Menglong’s passing an accident, the powerful individuals allegedly present during his final, terrifying hours remain untouchable. His censored story serves as a chilling testament to the opacity and potential brutality lurking beneath the surface of state control.