Chun Xu guilty of murdering teenager Wenjing Lin

Chun Xu has been found guilty of murdering 16 year-old Wenjing Lin and attempting to murder her step-father, Yongquan Jiang.

The 32 year-old who lived in Merthyr Tydfil was convicted at Merthyr Tydfil Crown Court on Tuesday, November 9 (2021).

Chun Xu's offences were committed at the Blue Sky Takeaway on Baglan Street, Treorchy on Friday, 5 March, 2021.
Xu had visited his teenage victim’s family on March 4 and spent the evening with them. The court heard that Xu was seeking revenge over a money debt that he owed the family. He had gambled away money given to him by Wenjing Lin’s mother which he was meant to send home to a mutual friend in China.
The following day, on March 5, he murdered Wenjing by strangling her and left her laying on the floor by the counter of the shop.
He then lured her step-father into the basement where he stabbed him multiple times with two knives before turning a knife on himself.
South Wales Police’s investigation proved that Xu’s actions were premeditated when they seized his phone. On it they discovered he had used internet search engines to find out if fingerprints could be damaged by fire just hours before the attacks. The court also heard that Xu had taken a knife with him to the premises.
Chun Xu had pleaded not guilty to murder, attempted murder and wounding with intent, but pleaded guilty to manslaughter and unlawful wounding.
But he was tried for murder and attempted murder by the Crown Prosecution Service.
The jury returned a unanimous guilty verdict on all charges, after which the judge told the defendant that he is facing life imprisonment when he is sentenced on Friday (November 12).
Senior Investigating Officer Detective Chief Inspector Mark Lewis, said:

“On behalf of South Wales Police, I am pleased that the trial has resulted in the successful conviction of Chun Xu for the murder of Wenjing and for the attempted murder of Yongquan Jiang. The evidence gathered and heard in this case demonstrated that this was a pre-meditated and callous murder of an innocent, bright, talented and loved 16 year-old girl and a brutal attack on her step-father with an obvious attempt to kill him.
“During our investigation it became clear how popular and well-loved Wenjing was by all who knew her. This incident brought shock to the close knit communities of Treorchy and Treherbert and has been devastating for Wenjing’s family and friends.
“My over-riding thoughts today are with Wenjing’s mum who has lost her loving daughter who I know was also her closest friend. I hope that this conviction will help in some way but I also know that the days, months and years ahead will be extremely difficult.
“I want to thank the community for their support and assistance, both at the time of the incident and during the investigation which followed. I would also like to pay tribute to the diligence of the Crown Prosecution Service and Counsel, and the officers and staff in my investigation team for the outstanding professionalism and tenacity shown to bring this case to justice.”