Man in Checkered Shirt at 798 Art Zone Identified as Fang Chou, Cousin of Fang Li, Sparking New Questions in Yu Menglong Death Case
BEIJING / INTERNATIONAL – 10 March 2026
A man captured on surveillance footage standing near a car trunk in Beijing’s 798 Art District shortly after the death of actor Yu Menglong has been identified by overseas investigators and fan communities as Fang Chou, the cousin of prominent entertainment figure Fang Li.
The footage, which surfaced on overseas platforms, shows the man in a distinctive checkered shirt lingering at the scene with no visible signs of distress. Instead of displaying grief or shock, he reportedly went live on social media shortly afterward, appearing relaxed, smiling, and casually interacting with viewers. The timing places him at the location within minutes of Yu’s body being discovered on 11 September 2025 following a fall from a high-rise apartment.
Yu Menglong, 37, was officially ruled to have died from injuries sustained in an accidental fall, with authorities citing alcohol intoxication. The case was closed rapidly, and domestic discussion has been heavily censored. However, a steady stream of leaks — including airport photographs showing injuries, audio of screams, alleged financial records, and now this footage — has fueled widespread suspicion of foul play or a cover-up.
Fang Chou’s identification has intensified scrutiny. While he has no major public profile, his familial connection to Fang Li, who has ties to the entertainment industry, has raised questions about possible influence or involvement in the events surrounding Yu’s death. Neither Fang Chou nor Fang Li has issued a public statement or responded to requests for comment. Chinese authorities have not acknowledged the footage or the identification.
The video has spread rapidly outside China, viewed hundreds of millions of times and analyzed extensively by fans and amateur investigators. Many point to Fang Chou’s calm demeanor and decision to go live as highly unusual behavior for someone present at the scene of a sudden death. Supporters of the #JusticeForYuMengLong campaign argue the clip contradicts the official narrative and suggests possible staging or evidence tampering at the location.
The Avaaz petition demanding an independent international forensic review, full disclosure of medical records, and examination of all surveillance from the night of Yu’s death has now surpassed 2.6 million signatures. Human Rights Watch and several international media organizations have called for transparency, noting that “when new visual evidence emerges near the scene of a high-profile death, it must be thoroughly examined.”
Yu’s family has remained almost entirely silent. Close associates say they face significant pressure to accept the official ruling. The 798 Art District, a former industrial zone turned creative hub, is known for heavy surveillance, making the emergence of this footage particularly notable.
Industry insiders speaking anonymously to foreign outlets describe ongoing power imbalances and opaque relationships in parts of the Chinese entertainment sector. Several former colleagues of Yu have claimed privately that he faced increasing pressure and isolation in his final months.
The identification of Fang Chou adds another layer to an already complex and emotionally charged case. While no concrete evidence has proven criminal involvement, the man’s casual behavior at the scene has deepened public distrust of the official account and strengthened the global movement seeking answers.
As more material continues to leak overseas, the central question remains: what exactly happened in the 798 Art Zone that night, and why does the official story feel increasingly incomplete?
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