To Escape Prison, He Faked His Death and Was Buried Alive

A man from China, caught driving drunk for the third time, faked his death with the help of his mother and grandmother to avoid imprisonment. He organized a funeral, practiced holding his breath, and lowered his body temperature, but was caught after police discovered inconsistencies in the investigation. He was sentenced to five months in prison and a fine.

A man from China, identified in reports only by his surname Xie, was caught driving drunk for the third time. Fearing imprisonment, he devised a plan to fake his death with the help of his mother and grandmother. Xie purchased a coffin, scattered empty medicine bottles around the house, practiced holding his breath, and lowered his body temperature using cooling equipment. His mother and grandmother told neighbors he died of an overdose, covered his face with a cloth, and claimed the medicine had disfigured his appearance. The funeral was held that same day, but Xie fled to Yunnan Province. Police became suspicious after discovering the coffin was purchased before the fake death, no ambulance was called, and no death certificate was issued. Security cameras and bank account activity revealed he was still alive. He was located and arrested in April. The court sentenced him to five months in detention and a fine of 20,000 yuan (about $2,800). A separate investigation was opened against his mother and grandmother on suspicion of aiding an offender.

To Escape Prison, He Faked His Death and Was Buried Alive