A former gaming company employee who murdered his billionaire co-worker over a Netflix deal was executed on May 21 in China. Xu Yao was found guilty of poisoning Yoozoo Game founder Lin Qi in 2020.

Xu was sentenced to death in 2024 for his crime. Yoozoo had the rights to a popular Netflix show, 3 Body Problem. The show was released the same year as Xu was sentenced to death. It quickly became one of the most-watched on Netflix. Its story revolves around scientists who are navigating an alien invasion on the planet.

Xu was working in a subsidiary in charge of business for the series. Lin was mentioned as the show’s executive producer, while Xu was not even mentioned. After two years, the two had a falling out.

Xu helped negotiate film rights deals as the legal expert. He spent three years on the project. Lin wanted to remove Xu from the project and give the role to Zhao Jilong. Other people were also poisoned by Xu, including Zhao and Caixin. They had high levels of mercury in their body but received treatment on time.

The murder was said to be inspired by another show, Breaking Bad. Xu reportedly tested the poison on cats and dogs. Xu poisoned Lin using tetrodotoxin, a neurotoxin which is found in puffer fish. The effect of the poison may lead to numbness in fingers and mouth, vomiting and dizziness. It reportedly has no cure. Xu never confessed to the crime, but was proven guilty.

Lin was hospitalized after being poisoned on Dec. 15. He went through a surgery and even a 40-liter blood transfusion. However, he died on Christmas Day. He also had mercury poisoning, which made his organs fail, including his heart and lungs. This ultimately caused his death.

After the investigation, it was confirmed he had five different poisons in his body. Xu bought different poisons worth tens of thousands of dollars from the dark web to test on animals. Later on, he made 30 probiotic pills for Lin to consume.

After the execution, Yoozoo shared a statement, ā€œWe deeply mourn Mr Lin and extend our heartfelt condolences to his family. As colleagues who fought alongside him, all members of the company are grateful for the impartiality of the judicial process.ā€

The court called the murder plot “extremely despicable.” Xu’s other victims were finally relieved after the verdict and the execution. They posted on social media, “Justice comes in the end, even if it’s late.”