A New Zealand court has jailed a religious sect leader over the death of an elderly Chinese follower who had travelled from China to live with his family.
Kaixiao Liu was found guilty of manslaughter and kidnapping, and he was sentenced to more than 10 years in prison.
The body of 70‑year‑old Shulai Wang had been found wrapped in rice bags near Auckland's Gulf Harbour in March 2024, sparking a major homicide investigation which eventually led to Liu.
Liu, a musician who previously appeared in a talent show in China, denied the charges and said he was not a cult leader, only attracting followers through music.
During the trial the court heard that Wang had travelled from Hainan island in China to New Zealand in August 2023, moved into a house Liu called "the Ark" with other female followers, and was tightly controlled by Liu who treated the group as servants who referred to him as "Lord" or "Master".
Wang spent her days caring for Liu's children, studying scripture, and gardening, but her old age made her struggle with strict rules and frequent discipline.
In March 2024 Wang tried to escape but was caught and restrained; she died later that day. Liu and his family disposed of her body near a marina, and his children were used as camouflage. The body was found by a fisherman; investigators linked the rice bags used to her wrapping to an unusually large purchase of the rice brand by Liu.
Besides Liu, his wife Lanyue Xiao was also sentenced to nearly eight years in jail for kidnapping and manslaughter, and his parents, Xiuyun Li and Jingui Liu, had earlier been convicted of kidnapping and misconduct to human remains.
During sentencing Justice Mathew Downs said Liu showed callous indifference towards Wang and that she died in a lonely, frightening death, and warned him to feel shame.
