In rural Hunan province, southeast China, a 34-year-old mother of two, Mrs. Dai, was left devastated upon learning of her husband’s unexpected death. Authorities informed her in early September 2018 that her husband’s rented car was discovered submerged in a river, leading them to believe he had taken his own life. Mr. He had accumulated a significant debt of over 100,000 yuan (£10,500) from online lenders to cover medical expenses for their three-year-old daughter who suffered from severe epilepsy.

Following Mr. He’s demise, Mrs. Dai bore the responsibility of handling the debts and caring for their ailing daughter. Surprisingly, it was revealed that her husband had secretly purchased a one million yuan (£110,000) insurance policy, designating her as the sole beneficiary. However, the weight of grief proved too heavy for Mrs. Dai to bear, and tragically, three weeks later, her lifeless body, alongside that of her daughter and four-year-old son, was discovered in a pond near their residence.

Authorities determined that Mrs. Dai had committed a double murder-suicide by drowning her children before taking her own life. A suicide note shared on the social media platform WeChat revealed her desire to reunite her family in death to shield her children from potential societal rejection.

This heartbreaking incident garnered national attention in China, shedding light on the higher suicide rates among women compared to men in the country, particularly in regions like Hunan where economic opportunities are limited, and support systems are scarce.

In a surprising twist, a day after the tragic deaths, Mr. He surrendered to the police, confessing that he had staged his own death to evade his debts. His intention was to use the insurance proceeds to aid his daughter’s medical treatment. He had recorded a tearful video explaining his plan to reunite with his family after going into hiding, unbeknownst to his wife.

The viral video and subsequent revelations led to Mr. He facing charges of insurance fraud and intentional property damage. The incident sparked widespread discussions across China on the perils of online loans and the immense pressures faced by women in rural areas.

The case highlighted the urgent need for addressing financial struggles and mental health challenges faced by families in distress, underscoring the importance of support systems and intervention to prevent such tragic outcomes.