Popular Chinese Singer Zhang Yiyang Executed by Firing Squad for Murder of Teenage Girlfriend

Chinese actor and pop singer Zhang Yiyang has been executed by firing squad for the brutal murder of his 16-year-old girlfriend, authorities confirmed in a statement released by the Intermediate People’s Court of Xianyang, Shaanxi Province.

The execution took place on December 18, 2024, but the case was made public in July 2025, drawing widespread attention both domestically and internationally. Zhang, 35, is believed to be the first Chinese celebrity to be executed for a violent crime.

According to court documents, Zhang began a relationship with the underage victim in September 2021. On February 26, 2022, which coincided with his birthday, he lured her to a secluded forest area in Xingping City under the pretense of celebrating together. A dispute reportedly broke out after the victim suggested ending the relationship.

In a premeditated attack, Zhang stabbed the teenager multiple times in the neck with a folding knife, severing her carotid artery, jugular vein, trachea, and esophagus. The injuries caused massive blood loss and led to her death at the scene.

After the killing, Zhang attempted to destroy evidence by throwing the victim’s mobile phone, the murder weapon, and his blood-stained clothing into a nearby reservoir. The following day, he checked into a hotel and attempted suicide but was discovered by staff, who alerted police. He was arrested shortly after.

The court found Zhang guilty of intentional homicide, and the ruling was upheld by both the Shaanxi High People’s Court and the Supreme People’s Court of China, clearing the way for the execution.

Zhang was known for his emotional ballads, including hits like “I Only Care About People Who Care About Me,” “So Care About You,” and “Crying Man.” He had built a loyal fan base prior to the crime, but public sentiment has turned sharply against him since the details of the murder emerged.

Despite his conviction, a posthumous film featuring Zhang, titled “Jie You Yin Sheng Guan” (The Sound of Music), was released in March 2025, prompting backlash on social media. Many netizens have called for his works to be permanently removed from streaming platforms and public broadcast.

The execution marks a rare and historic moment in China’s entertainment industry, highlighting the country’s uncompromising stance on violent crime, even when it involves public figures.