China’s state media broadcast details of student’s final moments before suspected suicide

Two days after Lin Weiqi’s mother pleaded for transparency about her son’s death at school, CCTV and Xinhua have reported new information

Police confirmed Lin’s body was cremated on Thursday at a funeral home in Chengdu with his parents’ written consent

Reading Time:2 minutes

17-year-old student Lin Weiqi and his mother, who appealed to authorities for more information after her son died at the Chengdu No 49 Middle School on Sunday. Photo: Handout

Published: 7:02pm, 13 May 2021Updated: 10:00pm, 13 May 2021

China’s state media has released more details of the suspected suicide of a 17-year-old boy at his school on Sunday following calls for greater transparency regarding the police investigation into his death.

An account of the inquiry was published on Thursday – two days after Lin Weiqi’s mother pleaded for more information about her son’s death.

Uncertainty around the death of the pupil at Chengdu No 49 Middle School in southwest China’s Sichuan province sparked outrage among the public. Dozens of people gathered outside the school’s entrance on Tuesday evening demanding an explanation from police.

According to a video circulated on social media, the crowd shouted “Truth! Truth!”

Several protesters were seen being taken away by security personnel. Police said one man was arrested for trying to break through a cordon in front of the school.

Thousands of Chinese internet users mocked reports by Chengdu’s local investigators for containing scant information about the death of student Lin Weiqi. Photo: Weibo

Police said Lin’s body was cremated on Thursday at a funeral home in Chengdu with his parents’ written consent.