The death of Chinese actor Yu Menglong, also known as Alan Yu, has set off a storm of conspiracy theories, online speculation, and public distrust. Despite police ruling his September 11 death as an accident caused by a fall from a fifth-floor apartment in Beijing, new claims, alleged recordings, and dark web leaks have intensified suspicions of foul play.

Police rule out foul play, but theories multiply

Yu Menglong, 37, reportedly fell from a luxury apartment in Beijing after a dinner with friends. According to the official investigation, the actor had been drinking and accidentally fell out of a window. His agency, Tianyu Media, and a statement attributed to his mother both confirmed that his death was accidental.

“With unbearable sorrow, we announce that our beloved Menglong fell to his death on Sept 11. Police have ruled out any criminality. We hope he rests in peace and his loved ones remain strong,” the agency stated.

However, the police’s swift conclusion did little to quell speculation. Online discussions have alleged that Yu’s death involved torture, sexual assault, and a cover-up by powerful individuals. Authorities have detained several people for spreading rumours, but widespread censorship has only deepened public suspicion.

Rising star’s final hours

Reports indicate that Yu dined with friends on September 10 and retired to his room at around 2 am, locking the door behind him. When his friends left around 6 am, they found his body below the building.

A now-deleted post by a Chinese paparazzi detailed the discovery, “I got a tip this morning saying Yu Menglong has passed away after falling off a building in Beijing. When I went to the neighbourhood where the incident occurred, I saw that the window on the 5th floor of the building was broken, just like what the tip said… The incident happened at 5 am on the 11th. Yu Menglong fell off from the 5th floor and died instantly after hitting the concrete floor.” (As translated by Koreaboo)

Despite the ruling of accidental death, alleged images of the site showing scratches and broken screens have fuelled doubts. Fans also point to Yu’s known fear of heights and his packed work schedule as signs that suicide or recklessness were unlikely causes.

Emergence of shocking claims

In the weeks following his death, Chinese and overseas media outlets began circulating disturbing claims about the circumstances surrounding Yu’s fall. The Vision Times reported that audio and video recordings allegedly capture the moment Yu’s abdomen was cut open to retrieve a USB drive.

According to the publication, an online profile named “News Investigation” shared clips supposedly recorded by a neighbour through a peephole. The audio allegedly features shouts of “Spit it out!” and “Cut open his stomach for me!” – voices that netizens believe belong to Yu’s assailants.

Other posts claimed Yu was moved between the Bulgari Hotel and a residential complex called Sunshine Upper East before his death. In one clip, a woman identified as actress Song Yiren was allegedly seen recording the scene with her phone. Another video purportedly showed actor Fan Shiqi attacking Yu in a parking lot before dragging him into a car.

None of these claims have been verified, and authorities have made no mention of such evidence.

Song Yiren and Fan Shiqi face online backlash

As the conspiracy theories gained momentum, actors Song Yiren and Fan Shiqi became the main targets of online accusations. Song, known for her role in ‘Ever Night’ (2018), has faced mounting backlash. Her recent costume drama ‘Unmet Clouds, Unmet You’ was taken offline just two days after its premiere following mass reports by netizens. She was also edited out of recent episodes of the variety show ‘My Little Girl’.

Song’s studio released a statement on October 20 denying all allegations, “Ms Song Yiren has no involvement in the incident and was not at the scene. The false information circulating online has caused severe harm to her reputation. Legal action will be pursued against those spreading defamation.”

Her name has reportedly been removed from Douban, China’s largest entertainment database, a move often interpreted as an unofficial industry freeze.

Fan Shiqi, meanwhile, became the focus of more sinister allegations after users circulated a supposed confession he had posted and deleted. In the message, he allegedly admitted responsibility for Yu’s death. Screenshots of earlier posts, including one reading, “Since childhood, I vowed to eliminate those more handsome than me. My sword has yet to be drawn,” have further intensified speculation about his involvement.

Online posts and alleged evidence

The “News Investigation” account and several netizens claimed to have recovered leaked footage from Song Yiren’s phone showing Yu’s alleged torture. According to Malaysian user Carol, her American friend accessed the video on the dark web and described it as “unbearably cruel.”

She claimed the footage showed Yu being pressured to hand over a USB drive, tortured, and ultimately thrown from a building. His dog, “Fuli,” was allegedly killed while trying to protect him. Another dog, “Ham,” reportedly survived.

A viral post by @jessica03919 stated: “A hacker broke into Song Yiren’s phone and recovered the footage showing the brutal torture and killing of Yu Menglong. It was horrifying – truly the work of demons in human form.”

Additional audio clips circulating online allegedly feature Yu screaming “Fan Xiaohua, save me!” before falling from the building. Forensic voice analysis of one clip reportedly showed a 99.57 per cent match with Fan Shiqi’s voice.

The last text and his mother’s disappearance

Adding to the intrigue, Yu’s final text message to his mother – shared by Kbizoom – suggested that he was under pressure from powerful figures.

“Every time I see the money they transfer, I vomit. That money isn’t earned by me – it’s dirty. I must say goodbye now, Mother. They may come and kill me anytime. I’m not joking, and I’m not hallucinating,” the message read.

Subsequent reports alleged that Yu’s mother went missing after travelling to Beijing for her son’s funeral. Bloggers speculated she may have been silenced to suppress further investigation.

Expanding list of alleged involvement

A viral social media post listed more than a dozen individuals allegedly involved in Yu’s death, including wealthy heirs, directors, and actors. Names such as Xin Qi, Cai Yijia, Fang Li, Cheng Qingsong, and Fan Shiqi appeared alongside that of Song Yiren.

These accusations, however, are entirely unverified. No credible sources or official statements have corroborated the claims.

Industry insider and talk of ‘spiritual justice’

An unnamed Chinese investor claimed online that growing public outrage is “having an effect.” He suggested that authorities were softening official notices about Yu’s death to prevent “alerting that person.”

The investor urged netizens to continue filing reports and complaints to financially strain those allegedly responsible. He also claimed that “higher-dimensional forces” were aiding Yu’s cause, and predicted that those involved would soon “see their fortunes crumble.”

He added that an upcoming drama by screenwriter Fang Li would face boycotts due to her alleged connection to the case.

Yu Menglong’s career and legacy

Yu’s entertainment career began in 2007 with the reality show ‘My Show! My Style!’ and he made his acting debut in ‘The Little Prince’ (2011). He gained widespread recognition through popular series such as ‘Go Princess Go’, ‘Love Game in Eastern Fantasy’, and ‘Feud’.

His sudden death at the height of his career has left fans across China grieving and questioning.

While the official cause of death remains accidental, the swirl of rumours, alleged recordings, and censorship have turned Yu Menglong’s passing into one of China’s most controversial celebrity deaths in recent memory.

Authorities have not reopened the case, but online investigators and fans continue to demand transparency, calling for the release of CCTV footage, forensic results, and witness statements that could finally separate fact from fiction.