Cult Leader Caught Escaping Follower, Put Her in Suitcase

A New Zealand religious sect leader who called his home "the Ark" will spend more than a decade in prison over the death of a 70-year-old follower from China. A court in Auckland sentenced Kaixiao Liu to more than 10 years for manslaughter and kidnapping in the death of Shulai Wang, whose body was discovered in rice bags near Gulf Harbour in 2024, per the BBC. Wang had moved from China the previous year to live with Liu, a self-described musician with a following on Chinese social media; his wife; and other women who prosecutors said acted as servants, referring to Liu as "Lord" or "Master."

The court heard Wang struggled with strict rules, was captured trying to flee, then had her mouth taped shut and was placed in a suitcase as punishment, per Radio New Zealand. Prosecutors said Liu brought his children along as cover as he dumped her body, wrapped in rice bags that were traced back to "the Ark." Justice Mathew Downs said Liu showed "callous indifference" and "no remorse whatsoever." A former contestant on China's Got Talent, he claims he is not a cult leader but attracts women because of his music. His wife, Lanyue Xiao, received nearly eight years on similar charges. Liu's mother and father await sentencing for kidnapping and abusing human remains, respectively.