The d34th of Chinese actor Yu Menglong in September 2025 has once again ignited online fury and suspicion over what many fans and netizens describe as the ‘unseen hands’ shaping—and ending—lives in the Chinese entertainment industry. His fall from a Beijing building has not just sparked mourning, but also a surge of unresolved questions, wild speculation, and resurfaced allegations tied to other similarly tragic cases.

Yu Menglong, Qiao Renliang, Ren Jiao: Tragic deaths of Chinese stars stir  allegations of power abuse - Entertainment

Although authorities have ruled out foul play, the public is far from convinced. Yu’s death marks the latest in a string of eerily similar incidents involving young Chinese celebrities who met untimely ends under suspicious or unclear circumstances. With each case, a familiar narrative emerges: alleged blacklisting, pressure to submit to ‘hidden rules,’ and sudden, tragic deaths that official statements chalk up to suicide or accident—but which many fans refuse to accept at face value.

Now, with online discussions intensifying following Yu’s passing, netizens are drawing chilling parallels to earlier cases—particularly those of Qiao Renliang, Ren Jiao, Bian Ce, and Ben Xi—each marked by unexplained gaps, official silence, and whispers of abuse by powerful insiders.

Yu Menglong: The fall that shattered silence

On September 11, 2025, actor Yu Menglong, best known for his roles in historical dramas, died after falling from a high-rise in Beijing. Police quickly ruled out criminal activity, but the circumstances surrounding his death have since exploded into a full-blown online firestorm. Rumors suggest that Yu had been blacklisted after allegedly resisting advances from a powerful industry figure.

Fans claim his career had been stalled for years—perhaps as a punishment. Unverified blogs and social media posts allege he was drugged and assaulted the night of his death, then pushed off the building. Despite the lack of official evidence, the public response has been fierce, with many demanding transparency and a deeper investigation.

Qiao Renliang: The idol whose death left more questions

Nine years before Yu’s passing, actor and singer Qiao Renliang was found dead in his Shanghai home. Officially, his death was labeled a suicide caused by depression—but fans have long suspected otherwise. Qiao’s body was discovered in September 2016, though some claims suggest he died days earlier and that the scene may have been staged.

Rumors have swirled for years about Qiao being tormented by insiders, humiliated, and even tortured. Notably, names like director Wang Ziyuan and tycoon Wang Sicong have been mentioned in online forums, though none have been formally linked to the case. Whispers of dismemberment and ritualistic elements have added an eerie undertone. Others claim his family was closely monitored, and that any public discussion of the case was quietly suppressed. No hard evidence has surfaced, but for many, the official explanation simply doesn’t add up.

Ren Jiao: A fall with too many inconsistencies

Dubbed ‘Little Angelababy,’ Ren Jiao was only 24 when she fell to her death from a 13th-floor hotel room in Suzhou in October 2017. Though police attributed her fall to heavy drinking and ruled it a suicide, the unusual condition of her body—found naked, with minimal visible injuries for such a high fall—sparked immediate suspicion. CCTV showed her checking in with actor Yang Xuwen, who was later cleared.

Netizens were quick to dissect every detail: her body’s posture, the lack of trauma, and the rushed investigation. Allegations pointed to high-ranking entertainment executives, but no formal inquiries followed. The story faded from public view—but never from online discourse.

Bian Ce: The rising star who was silenced?

Bian Ce, a lesser-known actor active in television and cinema, reportedly fell from a building in Beijing’s Sunshine Upper East complex in 2015. His death remains unexplained to this day, though it rarely makes headlines. Rumors linked him to director Cheng Qingsong, an alleged gatekeeper for aspiring male artists.

Some believe Bian was involved in non-consensual relationships for career advancement, and that his fall was no accident. Others claim the case was swiftly buried by those with influence. Mentions of Bian Ce online are scarce and often vanish quickly—fueling theories of censorship and forced silence.

Ben Xi: The songstress who knew too much?

Singer-songwriter Ben Xi, from Xinjiang, died in December 2016 at the age of 22. While her death was officially described as suicide by jumping, fans have long suspected otherwise—especially after noticing that her music, presence, and even name disappeared from Chinese platforms shortly after.

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Online chatter suggests Ben Xi may have been a witness to Qiao Renliang’s final moments. Her song ‘Pink Gun’ is interpreted by some as a cryptic account of that day. Whether coincidence or coded confession, it was enough to trigger a wave of censorship. Her death, just months after Qiao’s, is now part of a growing narrative that ties together these young talents—and their alleged connections to a dangerous power structure within the industry.

Please note:

None of the allegations linked to these cases have been confirmed. No formal charges have been brought against any of the individuals named in fan theories, and police investigations have consistently closed with non-criminal conclusions.