KUNMING — 2004 · Murder

The Yunnan University Dormitory Murders

SolvedSources: ALast updated: 14 October 2026

Between 13 and 15 February 2004 four students were killed in a dormitory at Yunnan University in Kunming. Their bodies were found in a dormitory room on 23 February. Their 22-year-old classmate Ma Jiajue, sought as the suspect, vanished after the killings and was captured on Hainan island on 15 March 2004 after a large nationwide manhunt. He told police that being accused of cheating at a card game and his classmates' criticism of him had led to the killings. Convicted of four murders in April 2004, he was executed in June 2004. The case prompted wide public debate in China about students' mental health and the exclusion experienced by students from poor rural backgrounds.

Date
2004
Place
Yunnan University, China, Kunming, CN
Category
Murder
Case Status
Solved
Coordinates
25.0560, 102.7010 ↗

Timeline of Events

  1. 13-15 February 2004Four students were killed in a Yunnan University dormitory.
  2. 23 February 2004The bodies were found in a dormitory room; a nationwide manhunt began.
  3. 15 March 2004The perpetrator was captured in Hainan.
  1. April 2004The court sentenced him to death for four murders.
  2. 17 June 2004He was executed.

Sources

Source grade A: several independent sources, at least one an official record or reference work. If you spot a mistake or something missing, report it with "Suggest a correction" in the app.

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🕯️ This record was prepared with respect, in memory of those who lost their lives.