Fugitive butcher apprehended after 34 years in gruesome cold case

Authorities in Huangshi, Hubei province, have apprehended a fugitive butcher who evaded capture for 34 years after allegedly faking his own death. The suspect, identified by his surname Feng, is accused of murdering a homeless man in 1990 to escape significant debt.

The case originated in January 1990 with the discovery of a headless and footless male body in a Huangshi park. The investigation took a chilling turn when the police noted the precision of the dismemberment, suggesting a perpetrator with butchering skills.

The victim possessed documents belonging to Feng, a 26-year-old butcher from neighboring Xishui county. Keys found on the body also unlocked Feng's rented apartment, seemingly confirming the deceased's identity.

However, police later learned Feng had six toes on his right foot, which could partially explain why the victim's feet were chopped.

This finding prompted DNA testing, which definitively excluded Feng as the deceased.

Further investigation uncovered Feng's dire financial situation. Investment failures and livestock losses had plunged him into substantial debt. Facing mounting pressure from creditors, Feng allegedly devised a plan to stage his own death and shed his financial burdens.

Authorities believe Feng targeted a homeless man with a similar build. He lured the victim to his apartment, incapacitated him, and then murdered him in the park. In an attempt to bolster the staged suicide, Feng placed his butcher's license and pig receipts on the victim.

For decades, Feng eluded capture by moving across provinces and changing jobs frequently. A breakthrough came in April 2024 when a facial recognition system, utilizing big data analysis, identified a strong resemblance between a security guard surnamed Feng in Wuhan, Hubei's capital, and the younger suspect.

Confronted with the evidence, Feng confessed to the 1990 murder. He expressed remorse for his actions and a sense of relief over the end of his long fugitive existence. Feng is currently in custody facing charges of intentional homicide. The investigation remains ongoing.