A tragic case of superstition turning fatal has emerged from southern China, where a mother has been sentenced to three years in prison after her daughter died during a violent exorcism ritual. The Shenzhen Municipal People’s Procuratorate confirmed the sentencing of the woman, identified as Li, for the crime of negligent homicide.
A Deadly Belief in Demons
The harrowing incident occurred in the city of Shenzhen in Guangdong province. According to reports, Li and her two daughters were deeply obsessed with superstitious practices, including telepathy and unconventional medication. The trio shared a disturbing belief that they were constantly under attack and possessed by demons, even convincing themselves that their "souls were sold."
This shared delusion set the stage for tragedy. Last month, Li's younger daughter, Xie, became convinced she was possessed by an evil spirit. She pleaded with her mother and elder sister to perform an exorcism to drive the demon out.
The Fatal Ritual
Heeding her daughter's desperate request, Li, assisted by the elder sister, began the dangerous ritual. In a misguided attempt to force the supposed evil spirit to leave Xie's body, they subjected her to physical abuse. Li reportedly pressed too hard on Xie's chest to induce vomiting. In another brutal step, the mother, along with the elder daughter, poured water down Xie's throat.
The family believed these violent acts would purge the demon. Instead, they proved fatal. The following morning, the horrifying consequences became clear when blood began pouring from Xie's mouth. Only then did the family realize the grave danger and alert the police.
Legal Reckoning for a Superstition-Driven Crime
Paramedics rushed to the scene but could not save Xie, who was pronounced dead at the site. The subsequent police investigation and court proceedings laid bare the deadly consequences of their superstitious beliefs. The Shenzhen court ruled that the actions during the exorcism constituted negligent homicide.
Li was sentenced to three years in prison. The court handed down the same three-year sentence to the elder daughter for her active role in the ritual that led to her sister's death. The case serves as a grim reminder of how deeply held irrational beliefs can have devastating real-world outcomes.
What is Exorcism?
Exorcism is a ritualistic practice aimed at expelling evil spirits or demons from a person, place, or object. Its roots trace back to ancient civilizations like Egypt and Babylon. While often associated with Christianity, where priests may perform rites, versions of the practice exist across many cultures. The phenomenon saw a noted resurgence in popularity in the 1970s United States following the release of the novel and film "The Exorcist," highlighting how cultural portrayals can influence such beliefs.
