Chinese Man Stages Car Crash with Cousin, Kills Son for $25K Insurance

In a chilling case from China, a father has been convicted of conspiring with his cousin to kill his own seven-year-old son in a bid to claim insurance money. The incident, which occurred in 2020, only recently came to public attention after the Fujian Provincial Court released detailed court documents.

Zhang, a resident of Sanming city in Fujian province, reportedly planned the murder after discovering his wife’s affair and facing ongoing disputes over finances. The scheme involved Zhang instructing his young son to stand by the roadside, moments before his cousin crashed a truck into the boy’s car, killing him instantly.

Videos and reports from the incident showed Zhang grieving at the scene, cradling his son’s lifeless body before authorities arrived. Initially, the cousin claimed distraction caused the fatal crash, and neither man disclosed their familial connection to police.

Investigations revealed that Zhang received an 80,000 yuan ($12,000) payout from insurance policies, of which 30,000 yuan was paid to his cousin. Subsequent insurer investigations uncovered forged documents, leading to further scrutiny and eventual arrests.

The Fujian Provincial Court sentenced Zhang to death, though details of his final appeal remain undisclosed. His cousin was also sentenced to death with a two-year reprieve and fined 30,000 yuan.

The case has triggered outrage across China, with social media users condemning the act as inhumane and morally reprehensible. “Even a tiger will not eat its own cub,” wrote one social media user, highlighting public disgust over the crime.

This case underscores the extreme consequences of greed and the devastating impact of domestic conflicts, leaving a tragic imprint on the family and community involved.