Key Takeaways
- Shulai Wang, a 70‑year‑old Chinese woman, was found dead in rubbish bags at Gulf Harbour in March 2024; four relatives of her alleged spiritual instructor are on trial for manslaughter and kidnapping.
- Police obtained roughly 4 500 audio recordings from surveillance devices placed at the defendants’ Ōrewa home; 16 recordings from mid‑July to late August were presented in court, mostly in Mandarin with English translations.
- Defendant Kaixiao Liu coached Wang’s son, Chunhong Wu, to fabricate a story of a heart‑attack death during “holiday travel,” to seek compensation, and to avoid details that might reveal his New Zealand location (e.g., papayas or coconuts in video backgrounds).
- Liu provided Wu with a detailed narrative of Wang’s alleged suicide attempts, claiming she stopped breathing after being returned home and that her death was due to old age and heart problems, not foul play.
- Liu instructed Wu on demeanor when questioned by authorities—maintaining composure, controlling facial expressions, and claiming inability to cooperate—to avoid self‑incrimination.
- Liu expressed surprise that police traced rice bags to him, insisting the evidence only showed handling of a body, not murder.
- The case highlights the influence of Liu’s religious group, with Wu identified as part of “family 12” among at least 37 families devoted to Liu’s teachings.
- The trial continues at the Auckland High Court, with further testimony and evidence expected as the prosecution seeks to prove manslaughter and kidnapping charges.
Background of the Case and Victim
Shulai Wang, a 70‑year‑old woman from China, arrived in New Zealand to receive religious instruction from Kaixiao Liu, whom she regarded as a spiritual leader. In March 2024 her body was discovered wrapped in rubbish bags at Gulf Harbour, Auckland, prompting a police investigation. Authorities charged Liu, his wife Lanyue Xiao, and Liu’s parents Xiuyun Li and Jingui Liu with manslaughter and kidnapping, alleging that Wang’s death resulted from an unsuccessful escape attempt after she came to New Zealand for religious guidance. The Crown contends that the defendants conspired to conceal the true circumstances of her death and to mislead investigators.
Police Surveillance and Audio Evidence
During the investigation, police installed surveillance devices at the defendants’ residence in Ōrewa, North Auckland, capturing approximately 4 500 audio recordings. From this trove, the prosecution selected 16 recordings made between mid‑July and late August 2024 for presentation in court. The recordings are predominantly in Mandarin Chinese; prosecutor Henry Steele and police officer Zhiwei Jia provided English translations as the excerpts were played. These recordings form the backbone of the Crown’s case, revealing direct instructions from Liu to Wang’s son and other family members regarding how to narrate events to authorities and the public.
Instructions to the Victim’s Son
In several recordings, Liu is heard coaching Chunhong Wu, Wang’s son residing in China, on a fabricated account of his mother’s death. Liu told Wu to claim that Wang suffered a heart attack while on “holiday travel,” alleging that local government officials damaged her body and that Wu intended to sue for compensation. Wu was advised to produce a video supporting this claim, with specific guidance on tone, speaking speed, facial expression, and background details—most notably to avoid showing papayas or coconuts, which are commonly associated with Hainan Province and could raise suspicion about his location in New Zealand. Liu also urged Wu to contact Chinese journalists, offering monetary rewards to spread the story online, and promised Wu a share of any eventual settlement, suggesting percentages of 10‑20 % and hinting that total compensation could reach 30 million yuan.
Liu’s Narrative of Events
Liu provided Wu with a detailed version of what he claimed transpired with Wang. According to Liu, Wang expressed a desire to die, possibly due to past trauma, and attempted to jump from a height on 4 March 2024, pushing two housemates who tried to intervene. Two days later she tried again, allegedly fearing she would be seen as attempting manslaughter for the earlier push. On the morning of 6 March, Wang jumped into a neighbour’s yard, could not rise, and was returned to the house by family members, where she was placed to rest on the first floor. Liu stated that he later discovered she had stopped breathing, attributing her death to old age, a clouded mind, and pre‑existing heart issues, and argued that it was understandable for relatives not to call an ambulance for an elderly person presumed to have died from heart failure. Liu urged Wu to memorize every detail—dates, locations, and circumstances—so that any questioning would appear consistent and confident.
Advice on Interacting with Authorities
Beyond crafting a story, Liu gave Wu explicit guidance on how to behave when questioned by police or other officials. He instructed Wu to remain composed, carefully control his facial expressions and body language, and to claim he was unwell or unwilling to talk if pressured—for instance, by placing his hands on his knees and taking a deep breath. Liu warned Wu that any appearance of cooperation would be detrimental, stating, “Anyone who wants to help the police solve the case must have a problem… You must never think that I will actively cooperate with you in the investigation and help you find the truth. As long as you express this idea, you are done, you become a suspect.” This coaching aimed to create an appearance of innocence while simultaneously obstructing the investigative process.
Comments on Evidence and Police Investigation
In an earlier recording featuring Liu and several women, Liu expressed surprise that police had traced rice bags to him, commenting, “This is still not any murderous evidence. This can only mean that they are dealing with this body.” He argued that the only link authorities had to him was the handling of Wang’s corpse, which he insisted did not constitute proof of murder. Liu’s remarks suggest an attempt to downplay the forensic significance of the evidence and to frame the police’s conclusions as overreach, despite the Crown’s contention that the manner of concealment and the subsequent cover‑up demonstrate culpability.
Broader Context: Religious Group and Family Dynamics
The prosecution highlighted that Wu was identified as part of “family 12,” one of at least 37 families adhering to Liu’s religious teachings. Wang had come to New Zealand specifically to receive spiritual guidance from Liu, indicating a broader pattern of influence and control exerted by the defendant over his followers. The testimony suggests that Liu’s religious group operated with a degree of secrecy and loyalty that facilitated the coordination of a false narrative across international borders, leveraging familial ties and shared belief to manipulate information flow.
Current Status of Trial
The trial is ongoing at the Auckland High Court, with the prosecution continuing to present audio evidence, witness testimony, and expert analysis to substantiate the charges of manslaughter and kidnapping against Liu, Xiao, Li, and Liu. The defence has yet to deliver its full response, but the disclosed recordings already reveal a sophisticated effort to shape public and official perception of Wang’s death. As proceedings advance, the court will weigh the credibility of the coached statements against forensic findings and the overall circumstances surrounding the victim’s demise. The outcome will likely hinge on whether the jury finds that the defendants’ actions amounted to unlawful killing and unlawful confinement, or whether they accept the defence’s portrayal of a tragic, self‑inflicted death exacerbated by family mismanagement.