Chinese Actor Yu Menglong’s Death Sparks Conspiracy Theories, Involving USB Drives, Casting Couch Allegations

The sudden and mysterious death of Chinese actor Yu Menglong, 37, who fell from an apartment in Beijing on September 11, has ignited a storm of conspiracy theories.

When his body was discovered, his abdomen was reportedly wrapped in bandages.

Despite this, police ruled out foul play, calling the incident an accidental fall while intoxicated.

A cremation was swiftly carried out, further fuelling suspicion.

According to reports, Menglong attended a gathering of more than 10 people at a friend’s house the night before his death.

He had gone to bed at around 2am, locking the door of the bedroom. Hours later, his body was discovered downstairs.

A list of 17 attendees has since circulated online, allegedly including director Cheng Qingsong, producer Fang Li, actors Gao Taiyu and Song Yiren, screenwriter "Ji Guang Guang", singer Jiao Maiqi, along with managers and assistants.

However, former media professional Cai Shenkun further alleged on social platform X that the key figure was film producer Xin Qi, who he claims has family ties to Chinese leader Xi Jinping. These claims, however, have not been verified.  

Multiple theories have emerged around Menglong’s death.

One alleged that Menglong had a USB drive hidden inside his body containing evidence of senior Chinese Communist Party officials involved in money laundering.

Another theory claimed that Xin Qi allegedly tried to impose “casting couch” rules aka sexual favours on Menglong at the gathering. When rebuffed, he ordered others to throw him from a height.

There are also claims that Menglong was forced to drink, drugged, and even humiliated and abused during the gathering before the fatal fall.

Videos have circulated online claiming to show Menglong’s final moments. One clip shows a silhouette struggling at a window, with a man’s anguished screams: “I’ve never suffered like this in my life… you’re playing me to death, threatened like this...”

Another, reportedly filmed by a neighbour, showed a party with naked individuals inside the apartment. Netizens dissected a selfie of singer Jiao Maiqi, claiming the reflection in his sunglasses showed two people wrestling and someone possibly tied up, suspected to be Menglong.

Netizens also pointed to physical evidence: The apartment’s window mesh screen appeared to have been cleanly torn rather than pried open, unusual for someone intoxicated. Furthermore, marks on the window below suggested someone might have been pushed.