On November 16, 2025, local authorities in China firmly shut down persistent rumors circulating online that Canadian-Chinese artist Kris Wu (also known as Wu Yi Fan), who is currently incarcerated, had passed away during his 13-year prison sentence.
Official Police Denial
The Jiangsu police issued a firm denial, directly addressing the claims of Kris Wu’s death:
- Status: They stated unequivocally that the online reports about Kris Wu are “groundless rumors.”
- Warning: Authorities urged the public to “stop spreading them indiscriminately,” indicating the severity of spreading false information.
- Frequency: Chinese media noted that these are not the first such claims, marking this as “already the third death rumor to surface” about the former EXO member.
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Origin of the Latest Rumors
The most recent wave of sensational rumors appears to have originated from an individual who claimed to have served time with Kris Wu in prison.
- Allegations: The source alleged on social media that the artist was murdered for “failing to satisfy the demands of local prison gang members.”
- Extreme Speculation: These claims fueled widespread speculation, including bizarre and unverified rumors involving organ harvesting.
The official denial by the Jiangsu police confirms that these detailed and dramatic stories circulating on social media are entirely fabricated.
Context of Kris Wu’s Sentence
Kris Wu, who debuted as a member of EXO in 2012 before leaving the group in 2014, was convicted and sentenced in 2022 following a high-profile trial:
- Sentence Details: In 2022, he was sentenced to a total of 13 years in prison for two separate crimes:
- 11 years and six months for rape.
- One year and 10 months for “assembling a crowd to engage in sexual promiscuity.”
- Deportation: After completing his entire prison sentence, Kris Wu will be immediately deported from China to Canada, the country where he grew up and holds citizenship.
The police confirmation ensures that despite the persistent circulation of sensationalist rumors, Kris Wu remains alive and is currently serving his mandated sentence.
