Social media influencer set on fire during live streaming by her estranged ex husband

A Chinese social media influencer died on Wednesday, 30th September after being set on fire by her estranged ex husband while shooting a live streaming video on Douyin, a Chinese version of TikTok.

On the said day of the incident – 14th of September, Lamu was attempting to start a live stream when her phone screen suddenly went black. Her followers were startled when the incident was followed by screaming sounds.

According to state-media outlet the Beijing Youth Daily, her ex husband, only identified as Tang had gained entry into the house armed with a knife and petrol can. He doused her in petrol before setting her on fire.

The two had a long history of domestic fights.

Lamu reportedly divorced Tang earlier this year in May. She remarried him shortly afterwards when Tang had threatened to kill one of their children if she did not remarry him.

Before the gruesome incident, Lamu had tried going through Chinese courts to officially divorce Tang, but the police had taken no action on the matter.

It seems Tang finally found out where Lamu was now living with her two kids – and killed her for not remarrying him.

The incident has sparked a conversation on the Chinese justice system when it comes to divorce issues.

Chinese courts are very reluctant on issues of divorce.

Earlier this year, China introduced a new 30-day “cool-off” period before couples are granted a divorce, to allow both parties time to rethink their decision. But this has sparked some concern that victims of domestic abuse could be coerced during that period to reconsider.