A WOMAN named Jiang who allegedly masterminded the murder of her husband, named Zhang, was detained by Longgang police after a weeklong investigation.
Four relatives, accused of being involved in the alleged homicide, were also arrested, police said.
Police in Pingdi Subdistrict, Longgang District, received a report from Zhang s son Oct. 4, saying his father had gone missing after he went fishing Oct. 1. He received a text message early Oct. 3, demanding he prepare 1 million yuan (US$149,250) in 20 days.
Longgang police set up a task force to investigate. They found that Zhang, 53, was not on good terms with his wife, who was 12 years younger. She was Zhang s second wife and he allegedly often abused her verbally and physically.
Police found Zhang had only one phone contact with Jiang on the day he went missing, while Jiang had made many calls to her nephews. Jiang s four nephews had disappeared after Zhang went missing.
Police sent a team to Jiang s hometown in Guangxi and arrested two of her nephews Oct. 8. They allegedly admitted having been involved in the homicide.
Police also arrested two other suspects in Zhuzhou, Hunan Province, on Oct. 9. They admitted having demanded 1 million yuan. They claimed Jiang masterminded the homicide in September.
The five went to Zhang on Oct. 1 and coaxed him into drinking a drink containing 20 sleeping pills before putting him into their van. They then drove to Guangxi and buried him alive. But Jiang denied planning the homicide.
An investigation is continuing. (Han Ximin)
