Chinese actor Yu Menglong’s mother has publicly addressed his death for the first time, saying that he accidentally fell from height after drinking alcohol.
Speculation has swirled regarding the cause of the 37-year-old’s death on Sept 11 after a fall, reportedly from a residential building in Beijing, China.
His management team posted a statement from Yu’s mother on Chinese social media platform Weibo on Sept 16.
“In recent days, I have endured profound grief as my beloved son left us forever after he fell from a building following alcohol consumption,” she wrote.
“This sudden tragedy has plunged us into deep sorrow. The police have informed me of the findings of the investigation, and the funeral has been completed.”
She expressed hope that the public views the tragic incident rationally and refrains from further speculation.
“I also hope to return to a peaceful life as soon as possible, cherishing my memories of Menglong and striving to live each day to the fullest,” she wrote. “I believe this would also have been his wish.”
According to a now-deleted Weibo post by a paparazzo, Yu reportedly had dinner at a friend’s home on Sept 10 with five or six others. At about 2am, he entered one of the bedrooms to sleep and locked the door.
When his friends were leaving the flat at about 6am, they found his body on the ground floor. A neighbour who was walking his dog called the police after the discovery.
Yu’s management team confirmed his death via a post on Weibo on the evening of Sept 11, saying the police have ruled out any criminality.
The actor rose to fame after starring in the time-travel period drama Go Princess Go (2015) and fantasy-romance drama Eternal Love (2017).
He took part in China Central Television New Year’s Eve Gala on Dec 31, 2024, and appeared in martial arts period series Hidden Master and fantasy period drama Feud in 2025. – The Straits Times/Asia News Network
