NZ religious sect leader jailed over death of elderly follower

New Zealand police released a picture of Shulai Wang

A New Zealand court has jailed a religious sect leader over the death of an elderly follower who had travelled from China to live with his family.

Kaixiao Liu was found guilty of manslaughter and kidnapping, and sentenced to more than 10 years in prison.

The body of 70-year-old Shulai Wang had been found wrapped in rice bags near Auckland's Gulf Harbour in March 2024, sparking a major homicide investigation which eventually led to Liu.

Liu, a musician who previously appeared in a talent show in China, had denied the charges. He also denied he is a cult leader and said he only attracted followers through his music.

During the trial the court heard that Wang had travelled from Hainan island in China to New Zealand in August 2023.

She moved in with Liu and his family at their house, which Liu had called "the Ark", along with several other female followers.

Prosecutors said that the women acted in "servitude" to Liu and his family, and their lives were tightly controlled by Liu, where they referred to him as "Lord" or "Master".

Wang reportedly spent her days taking care of Liu's children, studying scripture, and planting vegetables.

The court heard that Wang had struggled to comply with the strict rules, possibly due to her old age, and was frequently disciplined.

In March 2024, Wang tried to escape but was caught and restrained. She died later that day, the court heard.

The court heard that Liu, his family, and his followers dumped Wang's body near a marina at Gulf Harbour. Liu had taken his children along for the trip "as camouflage".

The body was found by a fisherman days later. Police eventually traced the rice bags used to wrap Wang's body to Liu, who had made unusually large purchases of that brand of rice.

Besides Liu, his wife, Lanyue Xiao, was sentenced to nearly eight years in jail for kidnapping and manslaughter, amongst other charges. His mother, Xiuyun Li and father, Jingui Liu, had earlier been convicted of kidnapping and misconduct to human remains and are due to be sentenced later this year.

On Tuesday's sentencing, Liu's lawyer asked for leniency arguing that his client feels remorse and "is not a cult leader, nor requires people to follow his cult", according to Radio New Zealand.

Shulai Wang's body was found near the marina at Gulf Harbour in Auckland

New Zealand media outlets reported that Liu had attended a military-based university in China.

In 2011, he was a contestant for China's Got Talent - clips posted online showed him singing onstage blindfolded.

Sometime in 2017, he moved to New Zealand along with Xiao, and the couple became permanent residents.

Liu attracted followers on Chinese social media where he posted religious discussions, video diaries, and clips of himself singing. He also set up a project called Universal Choir that produced cosmic-themed orchestral music.

During the trial a police officer who interviewed one of Liu's female followers gave testimony. He said in court that the woman told him she "met the people over the internet through a song website, and she referred to the occupants of the house as friends".

During the sentencing, Justice Mathew Downs said Liu had shown "callous indifference" towards Wang.

"Because of you, Ms Wang died a lonely, frightening death. You display no remorse whatsoever. You should feel shame."