Yang Xinhai's Chilling Motivation To Kill
China's most notorious serial killer sports a body count that even prolific villains like Jeffrey Dahmer and Ted Bundy can hardly hold a candle to. Within a mere three-year timespan, Yang Xinhai murdered 67 people in cold blood. It all started on September 19, 2000, when the bodies of two females were discovered raped and viciously stabbed to death, though no tangible evidence leading to the perpetrator's identity was found (via China Underground). A wake of horror and bloodshed would follow in Yang's daunting steps for the next three years with details so inhuman and barbaric, it's difficult for the Chinese people and the world at large to reflect upon even today.
The first question most people ask in hindsight to such instances is what the motive could have been. In the case of Yang, there are varying postulations. The press claimed that his killing spree was spurned by an unpleasant breakup, but others say that it was a raw grudge against society in general that he used as justification for his crimes (per ListVerse).
What happened and why?
Whatever the reason, Yang Xinhai's barbaric methods were charged with unprecedented and remorseless brutality. He reportedly entered homes of strangers and slew entire families with miscellaneous objects like shovels, axes, and hammers, seemingly choosing his victims without rhyme or reason. He also raped a large number of them (some even survived the assaults). It wasn't until November of 2003 that Yang was finally caught and the saga of terror came to an end (via China Underground).
"His girlfriend broke up with him ... And as a result, Yang [Xinhai] developed a vengeful attitude toward society," one news outlet claimed. Alternatively, a police officer involved in the case stated that "he committed crimes merely to hurt society" (per ListVerse).
However, the words of the killer himself went as follows: "When I kill, I feel the desire to kill again. This drives me to kill. I don't care if my victims deserved to die or not. I don't give a damn ... I have no desire to be part of society. Society is not my problem," according to China Underground. On February 1, 2004, Yang Xinhai was found guilty on all counts of murder and rape leveled against him and was later put to death by firing squad.