NZ Cult Leader Gets 10 Years in Death, Kidnapping Case
Prosecutors said the couple held Shulai Wang captive for 38 hours before her death and later hid her body in rubbish bags.
- On Tuesday, High Court Justice Mathew Downs sentenced sect leader Kaixiao Liu to 10 years and five months in prison for manslaughter and kidnapping of follower Shulai Wang, while his wife, Lanyue Xiao, received seven years and 11 months.
- Wang had moved from China in August 2023 to live at the Orewa household called "the Ark," where prosecutors said women acted in "servitude" to Liu and his family, referring to him as "Lord" or "Master."
- Prosecutors reported Wang was held captive for 38 hours, denied food and water, and restrained before her death in March 2024; Liu transported her body to Gulf Harbour using his children as "camouflage" while concealing remains in rice bags.
- Justice Downs described Liu as the ringleader, emphasizing his "callous indifference" and noting Wang died a "lonely, frightening death"; the judge found Xiao remained "loyal and submissive" to her husband throughout the ordeal.
- Defense lawyer Ron Mansfield argued Liu is "not a cult leader" who attracts followers through music rather than preaching; both permanent residents will likely face deportation after serving their sentences, while Liu's parents await sentencing later this year.
11 Articles
11 Articles
Cult Leader Caught Escaping Follower, Put Her in Suitcase
A New Zealand religious sect leader who called his home "the Ark" will spend more than a decade in prison over the death of a 70-year-old follower from China. A court in Auckland sentenced Kaixiao Liu to more than 10 years for manslaughter and kidnapping in the death of Shulai...
A man identified as Kaixiao Liu was sentenced to more than 10 years' imprisonment in New Zealand for the death of Shulai Wang, a 70-year-old Chinese woman who had travelled from Hainan Island to live with him, his family and other followers. Liu was found guilty of manslaughter and kidnapping, although he denied the charges and rejected the description that he led a religious sect. Fivefold murder: Five people are found dead alongside pets on ru…
Gulf Harbour body trial: Religious group leader, wife jailed over manslaughter, kidnapping
The leader of a fringe religious group Kaixiao Liu has been sentenced to 10 years and five months imprisonment for the manslaughter and kidnapping of one of his followers - 70-year-old Shulai Wang.
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