Religious leader and wife jailed for manslaughter and kidnapping

Tuesday 25 August 2026 · 3 outlets · 3 reports · updated Tue 25 Aug, 11:10am

In this story High Court

Kaixiao Liu and Lanyue Xiao have been sentenced for the manslaughter and kidnapping of Shulai Wang. The 70-year-old woman's body was discovered in Auckland's Gulf Harbour in March 2024. Both defendants denied responsibility for the death.

How they headlined it

9:51am10:43am

1. StuffTue 25 Aug, 9:51am

   Cult leader and wife continue to deny responsibility for follower’s death as they’re jailed (opens in new tab)

2. 1News via RNZTue 25 Aug, 10:43am

   Religious leader and wife jailed over Gulf Harbour kidnap, killing (opens in new tab)

3. NZ HeraldTue 25 Aug, 11:10am

   Auckland cult leader Kaixiao Liu jailed for killing of Chinese citizen Shulai Wang in Ōrewa (opens in new tab)