A religious group leader has been sentenced to over 10 years in prison after a follower died in a controlled environment described as a site of servitude.
A New Zealand court has handed down a prison sentence of more than a decade to Kaixiao Liu, a religious group leader found guilty of manslaughter and kidnapping. The sentencing follows the discovery of 70-year-old Shulai Wang’s body near Auckland’s Gulf Harbour in March 2024. The grim discovery triggered an extensive homicide investigation that eventually traced the circumstances of her death back to the residence where Liu lived with his family and several female followers.
During the trial, the court received evidence detailing how the victim had arrived in New Zealand from China’s Hainan island in August 2023. She took up residence in a home that Liu referred to as “the Ark.” Prosecutors successfully argued that the women living in the residence were subjected to a state of servitude, with their daily lives under the strict control of Liu. The victim spent her time performing domestic chores, including caring for Liu’s children and tending to a vegetable garden, while also being forced to study religious scripture.
The judicial proceedings highlighted a pattern of systemic mistreatment within the household. It was reported that the victim struggled to adhere to the rigid rules imposed ently subjected to disciplinary measures. In March 2024, the victim attempted to escape the property but was intercepted and restrained, leading to her death later that same day.
Following the victim's death, the court heard that Liu, his wife, and other members of the group transported her body to the Gulf Harbour marina to dispose of it. In a calculated effort to evade detection, Liu reportedly brought his own children along during the disposal process to act as “camouflage.” The investigation was aided cale purchases of rice made
Kaixiao Liu, who once appeared as a contestant on the television program China’s Got Talent, maintained his innocence throughout the trial. He characterized himself as a musician and denied allegations that he operated a cult, claiming his followers were simply individuals drawn to his artistic output. Evidence presented in court suggested that Liu, who attended a military-based university in China before moving to New Zealand in 2017, utilized social media platforms to recruit followers. Through these channels, he shared religious commentary and orchestral music projects.
Despite his defense, the court remained unconvinced of his narrative. Justice Mathew Downs, in his sentencing remarks, emphasized the defendant’s “callous indifference” toward the victim, noting that his actions led to a lonely and frightening death for the elderly woman. The judge expressed that the defendant displayed no genuine remorse and should feel deep shame for his conduct.
The legal fallout extends beyond the leader of the group. Liu’s wife, Lanyue Xiao, received a sentence of nearly eight years for her involvement in the kidnapping and manslaughter. Other family members, including Liu’s mother and father, have also been convicted of kidnapping and misconduct regarding human remains, with sentencing for those individuals expected to conclude later this year.