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China

China’s notorious ‘serial killer’ left ample evidence in rape-murder spree but escaped capture for decades

Suspect left fingerprints at most crime scenes and even made himself tea in the home of one of his child victims

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Gao Chengyong has confessed to killing 11 women and girls between 1988 and 2002. Photo: SCMP Pictures
Eva Li

An alleged serial killer in northwestern China left ample evidence while committing crimes over a span of 14 years, but avoided detection.

The Beijing News reported more details of the confession of Gao Chengyong, who is suspected of raping and murdering 11 women and girls between 1988 and 2002.

After killing two women in 1988 and 1994, Gao allegedly committed four crimes in 1998, two of which occurred in a three-day period.

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He told the police he felt uncomfortable if he did not kill anyone. While riding his bike between Qingcheng and Baiyin, he explored the streets looking for young women walking alone, and then followed them home.

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His crimes became increasingly cruel, with him cutting off his victims’ hands, ears or genitals, which he then threw into the Yellow River, Gao confessed.

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