Lao Rongzhi and the 1996–1999 Murders
Chinese courts found Lao Rongzhi guilty of intentional homicide, robbery and kidnapping for a four-province crime series committed with her then-boyfriend between 1996 and 1999. Seven people were killed. After roughly two decades using aliases, she was arrested in 2019, convicted in 2021, lost her appeal in 2022 and was executed in December 2023 after Supreme People's Court review.
Lao Rongzhi was prosecuted more than twenty years after a series of robberies, kidnappings and murders committed across four Chinese provinces. The Supreme People's Court stated that seven people died in the crimes and approved the final death sentence after lower courts found that Lao had been an active principal participant rather than an unwilling bystander.
The crime series
According to the Supreme People's Court and the Jiangxi courts, Lao acted with her then-boyfriend, Fa Ziying, between 1996 and 1999. The crimes combined robbery, kidnapping for ransom and intentional homicide in Jiangxi, Zhejiang, Jiangsu and Anhui.
The final judicial record attributes seven deaths to the series. Crime by Region uses that court-established number rather than later internet estimates or sensationalized totals.
Years on the run
Lao remained at large for about two decades and used pseudonyms. Authorities arrested her in November 2019. The arrest reopened a case whose surviving defendant had not yet faced trial for her role in the earlier killings.
Trial and appeal
In September 2021, the Nanchang Intermediate People's Court convicted Lao of intentional homicide, robbery and kidnapping and sentenced her to death. She appealed.
During the appeal, Lao argued that she had been subordinate to Fa and had not voluntarily participated in the crimes to the extent alleged. On November 30, 2022, the Higher People's Court of Jiangxi Province rejected the appeal. The court said the evidence showed that she had consciously participated in selecting, restraining and threatening victims and was a principal offender.
Supreme People's Court review and execution
Chinese law required the death sentence to be reviewed by the Supreme People's Court. The SPC approved the sentence, finding the lower-court convictions supported by sufficient evidence and the punishment legally appropriate.
On December 18, 2023, the Nanchang Intermediate People's Court carried out the execution after receiving the SPC's approval. Contemporary official reporting states that Lao was allowed to meet family members before the sentence was carried out.
Lao is described as convicted because the first-instance judgment, appellate review and Supreme People's Court review all upheld criminal responsibility. Her argument that she acted under the dominance of her partner is included as a defense position that the appellate court expressly rejected.
Timeline
- Crime series
Courts later find Lao and her partner responsible for robberies, kidnappings and murders across four provinces in which seven people were killed.
- Lao arrested
She is taken into custody after roughly two decades on the run under aliases.
- First-instance conviction
The Nanchang Intermediate People's Court convicts her of intentional homicide, robbery and kidnapping and imposes a death sentence.
- Appeal rejected
The Jiangxi High People's Court upholds the conviction and sentence.
- Final review completed
After Supreme People's Court approval, the Nanchang court carries out the sentence.
Sources and further reading
- Xinhua — December 18, 2023 report citing the Supreme People's Court's approval and the seven deaths established in the case
- Xinhua — November 30, 2022 report on the appellate judgment and rejection of Lao's defense
- China Daily — December 18, 2023 summary of the Supreme People's Court review and execution
Last reviewed: September 4, 2026