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Suicide of Fat Cat

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Fat Cat
胖猫
Death certificate of "Suicide of Fat Cat" Liu Jie (scanned version)
Born
Liu Jie

(2003-05-18)18 May 2003
Linwu, Chenzhou, Hunan, China
Died11 April 2024(2024-04-11) (aged 20)
Yuzhong, Chongqing, China
Cause of deathSuicide by jumping
NationalityChinese

On 11 April 2024, at 4:43 AM,[1] Liu Jie[a],[2] a 20-year-old Chinese male gamer known as "Fat Cat"[b] took his own life by jumping from a bridge in Yuzhong, Chongqing. After his suicide, his ex-girlfriend Tan faced a relentless online backlash on Chinese social media and was accused of exploiting him financially. In May 2024, Chinese authorities revealed that Liu's sister orchestrated this smear campaign against his ex-girlfriend, sharing private information and soliciting harassment against Tan. Police investigations later revealed Liu and Tan had a genuine relationship with mutual financial exchanges, and there was no evidence of exploitation. Liu's sister eventually admitted to her actions and apologized. The incident gained widespread media attention sparking debates on cyberbullying and gender dynamics in China.[3][4]

Background

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Fat Cat was born in Chenzhou, Hunan Province, on 18 May 2003.[5] He worked as a gaming influencer for around 10 hours a day game boosting, or professionally playing video games for other people.[6] In November 2021,[5] Fat Cat met his girlfriend through the mobile game Honor of Kings.[6] He led a frugal personal life and financially supported his girlfriend.[6] Fat Cat contributed 70,000 yuan to help her open a shop.[7] In April 2024, Fat Cat traveled from Hunan to Chongqing to live with his girlfriend. She declined his offer to move in, and the relationship soon ended.[8] Fat Cat then transferred a large sum of money to her and jumped off a bridge in Chongqing.[7] His body was found 12 days later.[9] Following the incident, his former girlfriend was doxxed and harassed by many, sparking debates on marriage in China. She then returned a portion of the money to the family.[8] Fat Cat's body was cremated on 3 May 2024.[8][10]

Aftermath

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After his death, Liu Jie's ex-girlfriend Tan was subjected to intense online harassment. Initially, Tan was blamed for Liu's death and accused of being a gold digger. Her personal information was leaked online, leading to severe harassment.[11] The leaked financial records appeared to have supported this narrative, sparking widespread online hatred, particularly among Chinese men.[11] Fat Cat's sister initially threatened to press charges against his former girlfriend.[12]

In a turn of events, Chongqing police revealed on 19 May 2024 that Liu's sister was behind the smear campaign against Tan.[13] Using the account "Keke Can't Sleep," she posted videos and financial records, claiming Tan extorted money from Liu.[14] However, a police investigation later revealed that this narrative was entirely fabricated. The police found that Liu's sister had fueled the online harassment by posting private information and paying to boost her online visibility. This led to severe harassment of Tan, including death threats. The case is said to have highlighted the dangers of misinformation and the ease with which public opinion and media can be manipulated.[15]

Police investigations also showed that Liu and Tan had a legitimate relationship, with mutual financial exchanges totaling over 1.26 million yuan. After Liu's death, Tan returned significant sums of money. Liu's family and Tan reached a reconciliation.[14]

Liu's sister admitted her wrongdoing,[16] apologized, and her accounts were banned on multiple platforms.[14] Liu’s sister and several influencers faced penalties for manipulating public opinion and infringing on Tan’s privacy. The case has sparked renewed debate about the impact of misinformation and gender dynamics in China.[11][16]

Reactions

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In May 2024, many Chongqing residents began gathering at the bridge. They placed flowers, McDonald's meals, and bubble tea at the site, inspired by Fat Cat's profile picture that read, "I don't want vegetables, I want McDonald's."[17][18] Fat Cat's sister asked people not to have food delivered to the bridge because of growing traffic by Fat Cat's memorial.[3] People who had ordered takeout to be delivered to the memorial discovered that the packages and containers were empty or filled with water.[3][19] Five brands involved in the incident issued apologies. They announced punitive measures against offending locations and pledged to refund the orders."[20] One brand, ChaPanda also made, a donation to the Sichuan Youth Development Foundation in Fat Cat's name.[21] McDonald's Vietnam attempted to use a slogan that referenced the suicide. Vietnamese customers called for a boycott, and McDonald's Vietnam issued an apology online.[17][22]

Many netizens have compared the suicide of Fat Cat with that of Su Xiangmao [zh].[5]

China Women's News noted the need for rationality and legal adherence in public discourse, condemning the spread of rumors and online violence.[23] Chinese state media outlet, Chongqing Daily, opined on the saga, stating that it was an ordinary romantic relationship, manipulated by behind-the-scenes 'directors,' that evolved into large-scale online bullying infringing on privacy.[24]

Notes

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  1. ^ simplified Chinese: 刘杰; traditional Chinese: 劉傑; pinyin: Liú Jié
  2. ^ simplified Chinese: 胖猫; traditional Chinese: 胖貓; pinyin: Pàngmāo

References

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  1. ^ 許祺安 (3 May 2024). "胖貓事件│21歲深情男2年給女友51萬 分手後跳江自殺". 香港01 (in Chinese (Hong Kong)). Retrieved 19 May 2024.
  2. ^ Pan, Yi (7 May 2024). "胖貓為愛走上絕路!遺體12天才撈到". NOWnews (in Traditional Chinese). Archived from the original on 10 May 2024. Retrieved 2 August 2024 – via Yahoo News.
  3. ^ a b c Ma, Diming. He, Ruiming (ed.). "祭奠"胖猫"反映世道人心, 但外卖真的可以不送了" [Memorial to 'Fat Cat' Reflects the People' Will, But Takeout Really Should be Stopped]. The Beijing News (in Simplified Chinese). Archived from the original on 5 May 2024. Retrieved 8 May 2024.
  4. ^ "The famous handsome teacher on Douyin was mistaken for a Fat Cat gamer". VGT TV. 8 May 2024.
  5. ^ a b c "警方通报"胖猫"事件调查情况: 谭某不构成诈骗犯罪". 19 May 2024. Archived from the original on 24 May 2024. Retrieved 19 May 2024.
  6. ^ a b c "电竞男生去世受关注 网民: 热度盖过梅大高速塌方" [Gaming boy's death in the spotlight while netizens say the heat may overshadow the Melong Expressway collapse] (in Simplified Chinese). Deutsche Welle. 4 May 2024. Archived from the original on 7 May 2024. Retrieved 8 May 2024.
  7. ^ a b Tang, Chenchen (4 May 2024). "21岁男生"胖猫"在重庆跳江去世, 转账给网恋女友的几十万, 家属能否追回?" [21-year-old boy 'Fat Cat' jumped into the river in Chongqing died, can the family recover the hundreds of thousands of yuan transferred to the online girlfriend?]. Chengshi News. Sina News. Archived from the original on 9 May 2024. Retrieved 8 May 2024.
  8. ^ a b c Xu, Qi'an (3 May 2024). "胖貓事件|21歲深情男2年給女友51萬 分手後跳江自殺" [Fat cat incident | 21 year old loving man gave his girlfriend 510,000 RMB during 2 years and jumped into the river to commit suicide after the breakup]. HK01 (in Traditional Chinese). Archived from the original on 9 May 2024. Retrieved 8 May 2024.
  9. ^ "Part 4|在江里漂了10多天 胖猫打捞现场 曝光" [Part 4|Drifting in the river for more than 10 days, salvage scene of the fat cat revealed]. China Press (in Simplified Chinese). 6 May 2024. Archived from the original on 11 May 2024. Retrieved 8 May 2024.
  10. ^ "VIDEO: Viral, Love Story Of Gamer From China Fat Cat". VOI - Waktunya Merevolusi Pemberitaan. Archived from the original on 22 May 2024. Retrieved 2 August 2024.
  11. ^ a b c Li, Xin; Ding, Xiaoyan (20 May 2024). "Her Boyfriend Killed Himself. The Internet Blamed Her". Sixth Tone. Archived from the original on 2 August 2024. Retrieved 2 August 2024.
  12. ^ Wei, Aw Cheng (14 May 2024). "21-year-old's suicide highlights pressures men face in marriage market in China". The Straits Times. Archived from the original on 15 May 2024. Retrieved 2 August 2024.
  13. ^ "重庆警方发布"胖猫"事件警情通报" [Chongqing Police Release Police Report on the "Fat Cat" Incident]. Economic Daily. Xinhua News Agency. 19 May 2024. Retrieved 2 August 2024.
  14. ^ a b c Zhang, Long (20 May 2024). "Sister revealed as online tormentor in new twist to suicide story". Shanghai Daily. Archived from the original on 2 June 2024. Retrieved 2 August 2024.
  15. ^ "Her Boyfriend Killed Himself. The Internet Blamed Her". SixthTone. 20 May 2024. Archived from the original on 2 August 2024. Retrieved 2 August 2024.
  16. ^ a b Tan, Yingzi; Deng, Rui. "Ex-girlfriend of 'Fat Cat' didn't scam him". China Daily. Archived from the original on 28 June 2024. Retrieved 2 August 2024.
  17. ^ a b "Part 7|越南麦当劳 蹭胖猫 "好想吃麦当劳"引怒火" [Part 7|Vietnamese McDonald's imitation of Fat Cat's "I want to eat McDonald's" draws ire]. China Press (in Simplified Chinese). 8 May 2024. Archived from the original on 11 May 2024. Retrieved 8 May 2024.
  18. ^ "Some young Vietnamese people "imitated" going to West Lake to drop food for Fat Cat, causing outrage". VGT TV. 7 May 2024.
  19. ^ Zhu, Yuanxiang (4 May 2024). "祭奠"胖猫"的外卖出现空包或注水, 五家餐饮连锁品牌致歉" [Five Restaurant Chains Apologize for Empty or Watered-down Takeaways in Memory of 'Fat Cat']. The Paper (in Simplified Chinese). Archived from the original on 5 May 2024. Retrieved 8 May 2024.
  20. ^ ""胖猫"事件发酵 中国舆论反思社会道德底线" [The "Fat Cat" incident ferments; Chinese public opinion reflects on the bottom line of social morality]. Radio Free Asia (in Simplified Chinese). 5 May 2024.
  21. ^ Shi, Wei; Yu, Yan. Huang, Zuochun (ed.). "现场直击重庆长江大桥: 外卖鲜花成堆 "胖猫"姐姐呼吁别再点了" [Chongqing Yangtze River Bridge: takeaway and flowers in piles, sister of 'Fat Cat' calls not to order anymore]. Cover News (in Simplified Chinese). China Central Television. Archived from the original on 6 May 2024. Retrieved 8 May 2024.
  22. ^ Hoang, Vu (7 May 2024). "McDonald's Vietnam apologizes for slogan mocking tragic death of Chinese man". VnExpress International. Archived from the original on 21 May 2024. Retrieved 9 May 2024.
  23. ^ "女报评论｜"胖猫"事件带给我们的反思". China News Service. China Women's News. 20 May 2024. Archived from the original on 29 May 2024. Retrieved 2 August 2024.
  24. ^ ""胖猫"事件反转 重庆警方指死者姐姐操控舆论引导网暴" ["Fat Cat" incident reversal: Chongqing police point to the deceased's sister manipulating public opinion to incite online violence.]. Lianhe Zaobao (in Simplified Chinese). 20 May 2024. Archived from the original on 3 June 2024. Retrieved 2 August 2024.
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