Auckland’s High Court has sentenced Kaixiao Liu to 10 years and five months in prison over the death of 70-year-old Chinese follower Shulai Wang.
The Chinese-born musician was convicted of manslaughter and kidnapping. His wife, Lanyue Xiao, received a sentence of seven years and 11 months for her role in the offending.
The sentencing follows a major investigation into Wang’s death after her body was discovered near Auckland’s Gulf Harbour in March 2024.
Who Is Kaixiao Liu?
Liu is a Chinese-born musician who later settled in New Zealand and developed a following through music, religious discussions and online videos.
He appeared on China’s Got Talent in 2011, with clips showing him performing while blindfolded. He later moved to New Zealand with Xiao, and the couple eventually became permanent residents.
He also established a project called Universal Choir, which produced orchestral music with cosmic themes.
During the proceedings, his lawyer rejected the description of Liu as a cult leader. The defence argued that people followed him because of his music rather than because he demanded religious allegiance.
Who Was Shulai Wang?
Shulai Wang was a 70-year-old woman from Hainan, China, who travelled to New Zealand in August 2023.
She moved into Liu’s home in Ōrewa, a property known as “the Ark,” where she lived alongside Liu, his family and several other women from China.
Evidence presented during the trial described a household governed by strict rules. The women were involved in childcare, gardening, religious study and other household duties.
Prosecutors said Wang struggled to comply with those rules and was subjected to punishment and increasing restrictions.
What Happened to Shulai Wang?
In March 2024, Wang attempted to escape from the household but was caught and restrained.
Evidence heard during the proceedings showed that she was detained for about 38 hours, with much of that period spent restrained. She was denied food and water, and tape was placed over her mouth to prevent her from screaming.
She died during the same period.
Her body was later taken to the Gulf Harbour area north of Auckland and found wrapped in layers of black rubbish bags near the marina.
How Police Linked the Death to Liu
The discovery initially led to a homicide investigation into the identity of the woman and the circumstances surrounding her death.
Investigators eventually connected the disposal of the body to the household in Ōrewa. One significant lead involved the bags used to conceal Wang’s remains.
Police traced the material back to unusually large purchases associated with Liu. Evidence concerning the disposal of the body, along with his actions after Wang’s death, helped build the prosecution case.
The convictions also included interfering with human remains, perverting the course of justice and failing to provide device passwords to police during a search warrant.
What Did the Judge Say?
At sentencing, Justice Mathew Downs described the offending as showing “callous indifference” toward Wang.
The judge identified Liu as the key decision-maker in the household and said he was responsible for Wang’s detention and punishment.
Downs also referred to evidence that items connected with Wang’s detention and the disposal of her body had been kept as warnings to other women in the household. The black colour of those items was presented to them as representing death.
A 50% minimum non-parole period was imposed as part of Liu’s sentence.
What Happened to Lanyue Xiao?
Lanyue Xiao received seven years and 11 months for kidnapping, manslaughter, perverting the course of justice and interfering with human remains.
Justice Downs considered her less culpable than her husband but described her as the second-most responsible person in the household.
The sentencing included a five percent discount because neither defendant had previous convictions.
What Happened to Liu’s Parents?
Liu’s parents were also convicted in connection with the events surrounding Wang’s death.
His mother, Xiuyun Li, was convicted of kidnapping, while his father, Jingui Liu, was convicted of misconduct involving human remains.
Both are due to be sentenced later this year after further material is presented to the court.
What Happened to the Children?
The proceedings also highlighted the impact on the couple’s five children.
Four were taken into the care of New Zealand’s child protection authorities in September 2024. Their youngest child was removed following the conclusion of the trial in June.
Liu’s lawyer raised the separation from his children when seeking leniency, but the judge did not grant an additional compassionate discount on that basis.
The Case at a Glance
- Victim: Shulai Wang, 70
- Main defendant: Kaixiao Liu
- Liu’s sentence: 10 years and five months
- Main convictions: Manslaughter and kidnapping, along with additional offences
- Liu’s wife: Lanyue Xiao
- Xiao’s sentence: Seven years and 11 months
- Location: Auckland, New Zealand
- Body discovered: Gulf Harbour, March 2024
- Minimum non-parole period for Liu: 50% of his sentence
The sentencing brings the main court proceedings involving Liu and Xiao to a close, while separate sentencing for Liu’s parents remains pending.
