Man jailed for life after killing partner then posting image on social media

A carpenter has been jailed for life for killing his partner then “cruelly” sending a picture of her body to family on social media.

Chinese national Yi Xing Song, 54, stabbed mother-of-two Li Qing Wang 22 times at the terraced house they shared in Leyton, east London, on February 25.

Afterwards, he posted an image of her body on a WeChat group – the Chinese equivalent to WhatsApp – which was used by members of Ms Wang’s family, including her father, sister and nieces.

On Tuesday, Song pleaded guilty to the 35-year-old’s murder and was sentenced to life in jail with a minimum term of 19 years.

The Old Bailey heard Ms Wang’s son Xudong Wang had been studying for a masters degree at Cambridge University, but after her murder he had to take a year off.

Sentencing, Judge John Hillen told Song: “You have not only taken her life away from her but caused grief and loss to those who loved and cared for her.

“Ms Wang had family by her previous husband, a 12-year-old daughter and a son studying at university, who has been deeply affected by the loss of his mother in the touching and, one could almost say heart-rending, victim impact statement I have read.”

The judge said Song had believed Ms Wang was seeing another man, causing him “sleepless nights”.

On the day of the killing, he drank strong lager and red wine before launching a “ferocious” attack with a 6in knife.

Judge Hillen said: “While I accept your later remorse, at the time, in a drunken state or otherwise, you cruelly posted a photograph of Ms Wang’s dead body on an instant messaging service used by her father, sister and nieces.

“That caused her sister in China to ask for someone to check on Ms Wang’s welfare which some friends did.

“You opened the door and then went and lay down on the floor next to her body which was covered by a duvet.

“When police found you, you were still lying on the floor of the bedroom next to her body pretending to be unconscious.”

The court heard Song, who worked as a carpenter and labourer, had a history of depression and had struggled to find regular work.