Chinese nanny admits killing baby's parents in grisly case

Image
AFP Paris
Last Updated : Jan 20 2016 | 12:28 AM IST
A Chinese nanny admitted in a Paris court today to killing and dismembering the parents of a baby who had died in her care, in a gruesome case worthy of a horror movie.
"It's true, I killed them, and I will regret it for the rest of my life," the diminutive Hui Zhang, 34, said at the start of the hearing.
Hui said she merely acted in self-defence as the furious parents of the dead newborn attacked her and her boyfriend with a butcher's knife.
Her boyfriend and co-accused Te Lu, also 34, denied helping Hui kill the couple.
"I was sucked into a whirlwind of nightmares but I am innocent," he told the court.
The case first came to light in June 2012 after two joggers came upon a leg, cut off at the ankle, in the Vincennes forest on the edge of the French capital.
Several days later, a guide dog found a human torso in the same area, but the hunt for further remains was fruitless.
Police knew the victims were Asian and initially thought the murders could be the work of the Chinese mafia, or of Luka Rocco Magnotta, a Canadian convicted of killing and dismembering a Chinese student who spent time in Paris.
But before the bodies could even be identified, Hui and Te turned themselves in.
Hui told police she had been babysitting a two-month-old baby who died in his sleep.
She and her partner decided to offer the child's parents money to try to get them not to report the boy's death.
They invited the parents to their home, but said their plans quickly went awry faced with the fury of the grieving couple.
*Subscribe to Business Standard digital and get complimentary access to The New York Times

Smart Quarterly

₹900

3 Months

₹300/Month

SAVE 25%

Smart Essential

₹2,700

1 Year

₹225/Month

SAVE 46%
*Complimentary New York Times access for the 2nd year will be given after 12 months

Super Saver

₹3,900

2 Years

₹162/Month

Subscribe

Renews automatically, cancel anytime

Here’s what’s included in our digital subscription plans

Exclusive premium stories online

  • Over 30 premium stories daily, handpicked by our editors

Complimentary Access to The New York Times

  • News, Games, Cooking, Audio, Wirecutter & The Athletic

Business Standard Epaper

  • Digital replica of our daily newspaper — with options to read, save, and share

Curated Newsletters

  • Insights on markets, finance, politics, tech, and more delivered to your inbox

Market Analysis & Investment Insights

  • In-depth market analysis & insights with access to The Smart Investor

Archives

  • Repository of articles and publications dating back to 1997

Ad-free Reading

  • Uninterrupted reading experience with no advertisements

Seamless Access Across All Devices

  • Access Business Standard across devices — mobile, tablet, or PC, via web or app

More From This Section

First Published: Jan 20 2016 | 12:28 AM IST

Next Story