Freshly dug-up grass in Sunshine East matches the rumored spot where Yu Menglong supposedly fell—yet circulating photos and whispers claim the body handed to his grieving mother belongs to someone else entirely: whose corpse was buried in his name? th

Sunshine Upper East Mystery: Rumors of Body Switching Fuel Distrust in Yu Menglong Death Probe

Freshly disturbed soil at the base of Beijing’s Sunshine Upper East complex—where Chinese actor Yu Menglong (37) was found dead on September 11, 2025—has become the latest flashpoint in a case already shrouded in suspicion. Photos circulating on social media show recently turned grass at the fall site, prompting viral claims that authorities swapped the body before handing it to the grieving family. Supporters of the #JusticeForYuMenglong movement allege the corpse buried was not Yu’s, suggesting a deliberate cover-up to hide evidence of foul play.

Official accounts from Beijing police describe an accidental fall from a fifth-floor apartment after heavy drinking at a private gathering. The case was closed within hours, with no criminal involvement cited. Yu’s management (Tianyu Media, deregistered pre-death) and family statements initially aligned with this, urging focus on remembrance over speculation. However, online skepticism exploded: leaked autopsy reports (unverified) describe pre-fall injuries including fractured ribs, abdominal incisions, genital trauma, and signs of assault—details inconsistent with a simple drunken fall. Family members, including a cousin, claimed access to autopsy details was denied, with only verbal notices provided.

The “body switch” theory stems from these inconsistencies: no public photos of Yu’s body at the scene, rapid cremation (allegedly without full family consent), and reports of the mother’s emotional distress while clutching the remains. Some speculate the corpse belonged to another victim or was altered (e.g., organ removal rumors). Disturbed soil photos—shared on X and Reddit—are interpreted as evidence of hasty exhumation or replacement, though experts note such images could result from routine cleanup, police activity, or unrelated landscaping.

Broader context amplifies distrust: heavy censorship erased thousands of posts, blocked hashtags, and silenced whistleblowers like ex-soldier Lin Beichuan. Alleged audio recordings capture screams and pleas (“Don’t touch me!”), while unverified videos show struggles near windows. Rumors link the death to elite figures at the gathering (17 named suspects, including directors and investors), shell companies, and even superstitious “sacrifice” theories tied to birthdays matching high officials. No independent verification exists; domestic media remains silent.

The campaign has global reach: petitions exceed 640,000 signatures, with fans in Taiwan, the U.S., and beyond demanding forensic transparency, CCTV release (some cameras allegedly malfunctioned), and independent probes. Critics see patterns of opacity in China’s justice system—swift closures protecting power, victims’ families pressured, evidence suppressed.

Without full disclosure, speculation fills the void: Was the body switched to obscure torture? Who was buried in Yu’s name? Authorities maintain the accident ruling; without unredacted files or international oversight, the truth remains buried beneath the freshly turned grass.

Here are illustrative visuals from online discussions: photos of disturbed soil at Sunshine Upper East and grieving family scenes that have fueled speculation.