Va. Tech Student Pleads Guilty to Decapitation
CHRISTIANSBURG, Va.
A former Virginia Tech graduate student has pleaded guilty to decapitating his classmate.
Haiyang Zhu, a Va. Tech student from Ningbo, China, plead guilty to murdering Xin Yang on Jan. 21. Investigators say the student attacked the victim after his romantic advances were rejected, reports Fox News.
According to the prosecutor, Zhu purchased an 8-inch butcher knife used in the murder, two other knives and a claw hammer. Zhu had told Yang he was in love with her but she rejected his advances and told him she had a boyfriend she planned to marry. Zhu claims the rejection “forced” him to kill her.
Yang suffered numerous defensive wounds on her hands and arms from the attack. Zhu then decapitated her and was seen holding the head when police arrived on the scene, reports Fox News. Seven witnesses said there was no argument before the attack.
The two had previously met in China, and Zhu had befriended Yang to help her adjust to campus life. Zhu faces up to life in prison.
For additional information, click here.
If you appreciated this article and want to receive more valuable industry content like this, click here to sign up for our FREE digital newsletters!
Related Content
Leading in Turbulent Times: Effective Campus Public Safety Leadership for the 21st Century
This new webcast will discuss how campus public safety leaders can effectively incorporate Clery Act, Title IX, customer service, “helicopter” parents, emergency notification, town-gown relationships, brand management, Greek Life, student recruitment, faculty, and more into their roles and develop the necessary skills to successfully lead their departments. Register today to attend this free webcast!
