Unknown Gender History: Yan Shuxia, Half of a Serial Killer Couple – Executed

Yan Shuxia was executed Sep. 27, 1985. Following is the Wikipedia post on Yan Shuxia’s husband, Long Zhimin.

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Wikipedia:

Long Zhimin (Chinese: 龙治民; pinyin: Lóng Zhìmín; died September 27, 1985) was a Chinese serial killer. Together with his wife Yan Shuxia ( 严书霞 ), he murdered 48 people in Shaanxi between 1983 and 1985. This criminal case shocked Zhongnanhai and the Chinese State Council, and is referred to as the Long Zhimin Couple's Homicides (龙治民夫妇杀人案).

Long Zhimin was a farmer originally from Shang County (now Shangzhou District, Shangluo). In the spring of 1974, due to the construction of the Nanqin Reservoir, he moved to Wangjian Village (王墹村), Yangyuhe Township (now Yangyuhe Town). Four years later, he married Yan Shuxia, a disabled woman with meningitis.

Between March 1983 and May 1985, Long, with the help of his wife, deceived 48 people (31 men and 17 women) into his home with promises of introducing them to upper-class people, high-paying employers of simply offering free accommodation. When the victims entered the house, they were killed and subsequently buried on the property.

On May 28, 1985, the police arrested Long Zhimin and searched his house upon requests from the family members of the missing people. A total of three mass graves were found, with 48 bodies in them (two others were found next to the wheat straw pile, and another one in a bag with fertilizer and tools).

On August 30, 1985, the Shangluo Branch of the Shaanxi Procuratore charged Long Zhimin and his wife with murder. On September 20th, the Shangluo Intermediate Court sentenced both defendants to death. They filed an appeal, but the Higher People's Court rejected it and upheld the death penalty. Only seven days after the sentencing, Long and Yan were executed. [Sep. 27, 1985].

According to medical experts, the initial motives for Long's murders was to obtain property, free labor and meet sexual requirements. As the killings progressed, it evolved into an addiction, from which he likely experienced great pleasure.

At the end of 2011, the Shaanxi Provincial Public Security Chronicles declassified the crimes, and even published photos of Long Zhimin.

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References:

"The first major criminal case in New China was decrypted: Long Zhimin killed 48 people at home". China Police Network.

Shangzhou Local Records Compilation Committee (1998). Shangzhou Records. Zhonghua Book Company.

China Procuratore Yearbook Editorial Department (1989). China Procuratore Yearbook. China Procuratore Press.

"The murders of 48 people: 'New China's first criminal case' revealed". Sina History. Retrieved October 31, 2019.

Shaanxi Provincial Zhigong Public Security Compilation Committee (2011). Shaanxi Provincial Records: Public Security Records. Shaanxi People's Publishing House. ISBN 7224099260.

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Yan Shuxia / 严书霞

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