World

Haiyang Zhu Accused in 2009 Virigina Tech Murder of Xin Yang

by Jon Azpiri | January 22, 2009 at 06:51 pm

6693 views | 5 Recommendations | 3 comments

Details are starting to come to light about the Jan. 21, 2009 murder at Virginia Tech. Student Haiyan Zhu is being accused of decapitating fellow student Xin Yang.

According to local police, there was blood on Zhu when he was arrested by officers. Zhu's motive remains unclear, although it is believed that Haiyang Zhu and Xin Yang knew each other.

Both Haiyang Zhu and Xin Yang originally hail from China and likely met through VT's community of Chinese exchange students. According to reports, the two had only known each other for a short time. Zhu, who was getting his PhD in agricultural and applied economics, had spent time with Yang, helping her adjust to life in a new country.

What led their relationship to turn deadly remains unclear. Several witnesses to the beheading stated that the two had not been arguing prior to the murder. There also doesn't appear to have been any sort of falling out between the two.

Whatever the reason, the Virginia Tech beheading has brought back horrible memories of the 2007 Virginia Tech massacre, in which 32 people were shot to death by Seung-Hui Cho.

"It was a very retraumatizing kind of experience," said Debbie Day, director of the Office of Recovery and Support.

1 See all footage | View Slideshow

Share: email story | add to any | | facebook | stumbleupon

recommend This comment thread is now closed

Mary Richard

at 19:13 on January 22nd, 2009

CNN link.

Emilio Lizardo

at 19:25 on January 22nd, 2009

Statement to the press viewable at my profile page, http://my.nowpublic.com/emilio-lizardo

Chinese student decapitated at Virginia Tech
"There were seven witnesses in the cafe. There had been no argument, no shouting" when the young woman was attacked, said Virginia Tech spokesman Mark Owczarski, confirming that Yang had been decapitated.