Leaked Autopsy of Yu Menglong Sparks Public Outcry Over “Suspicious Injuries”

It has been almost a month since the shocking and mysterious death of Chinese actor Yu Menglong, 37. His passing on September 11, initially ruled as an accidental fall from a building, stirred widespread controversy due to the suspicious circumstances surrounding the incident. 

Recently, an alleged screenshot of Menglong’s forensic autopsy report has surfaced online, raising concerns about the credibility of the country’s forensic examination process.

According to the alleged documents, the autopsy was done by Beijing Shengtang Forensic Appraisal Center, and commissioned by the Jiatai Police Station in Chaoyang District, Beijing. It was noted that the purpose of the examination was to determine the deceased’s cause of death. 

The autopsy was commissioned on September 13, with the examination dated September 14. The subject’s details were listed: Yu (Yu Menglong), male, 37 years old. 

The report notes: “The deceased was 181cm tall, with normal development and average nutrition. [His] skin was pale yellow, with no enlarged lymph nodes found. Postmortem lividity (referring to the discolouration of skin after death) was dark red, found on the back of the head, neck, back, lower back, and lower parts of the limbs, with lividity unresponsive to pressure. Postmortem greening had begun forming on the abdomen.”

The report also states that Menglong’s scalp was discovered to show signs of injury, likely caused by tugging. His eyes were pale white and cloudy, and his pupils no longer transparent. Blood stains were discovered in his ear passage, his nose bridge broken, with traces of blood also found in his nose. 

A 3cm cut was found on the inside of his lower lip, and another cut, around 7.5cm long, was found on his body. He had lost all but one of his lower front teeth. 

The cause of Menglong’s death diagnosis detailed multiple traumatic injuries, including chest trauma, bleeding in both sides of the chest, multiple fractures on the left side, fluid around the heart, liver lacerations, genital tears, and cardiac arrest.

The severe injuries listed in the alleged autopsy have only intensified public suspicion. However, no official confirmation regarding the authenticity of the report has been issued — and it is uncertain if one will ever be made. 

One of the most shocking aspects of the alleged leaked report was the mention of “evidence of sexual assault” and “genital tearing”. 

However, those with forensic backgrounds have stated that such claims must be supported by DNA testing and lab evidence, and cannot be considered conclusive without it. 

If verified, the nature of the case could shift from an accidental fall to a violent death involving multiple factors. 

According to forensic analysts, the combination of Menglong’s injuries do not match those typically caused by a fall from a height. Instead, it suggests he may have experienced multiple types of physical trauma prior to his death. 

For example, complete tooth loss and lip lacerations are generally caused by blunt force trauma or assault rather than a fall. Genital injuries and organ damage also suggest possible abuse before his death. 

The injuries sustained by Menglong have fueled doubt that he had died from an “accident”. The public is now calling for an official release of the full autopsy report and lab findings. 

Authorities have yet to respond to the autopsy screenshot that has been circulating online, or the allegations of assault. 

The public has also shifted to a larger topic at hand, with many questioning if China’s forensic system is sufficiently transparent, independent, and trustworthy. This case could very well result in the public’s loss of faith in the country’s forensic and judicial institutions.

In China, forensic examinations in unnatural death cases are generally conducted by third-party institutions approved by the authorities. The institutions must be certified under the Regulations on the Administration of Forensic Experts, following a process of police commissioning, forensic analysis, and issue of report. 

According to experts in the legal field, although the procedures may be lawful, the lack of transparency surrounding the forensic records, personnel lists, and sample preservation methods have led to doubts about the internal workings of the process.