Easyhome Chairman Jumps to Death After Detention in Anti-Graft Probe

Wang Linpeng, chairman and CEO of Easyhome New Retail Group Co. Ltd.—one of China’s largest home-furnishings chains—died by suicide just days after being released from a three-month detention by anti-corruption investigators. The 57-year-old fell from his attic at his suburban Beijing home in the early hours of July 27, 2025. The local authorities are investigating the incident, which has sent shockwaves through China's business community [para. 1][para. 2][para. 3].

Wang's death closely followed his July 23 release from custody by anti-graft officers in Wuhan, Hubei’s capital. During the investigation, he remained under non-custodial measures, meaning he was still subject to inquiry but not physically detained, and reportedly resumed his company duties that same day. According to sources, Wang’s health—both mental and physical—had sharply declined during his detention, losing significant weight and showing visible distress [para. 4][para. 5][para. 6][para. 7].

The anti-corruption probe into Wang was linked to Jiang Chaoliang, the former Communist Party chief of Hubei province. Jiang was ousted in early 2020 after a criticized response to Covid-19 and formally investigated for corruption in February 2025. Wang’s detention reportedly centered on Easyhome’s contentious 2019 backdoor listing on the stock market. Following Jiang’s downfall, Luo Xi’an—a business associate of both Wang and Jiang’s family—was also detained in connection with the case [para. 3][para. 4][para. 16][para. 17][para. 18][para. 19].

Easyhome disclosed Wang’s detention in an April 2025 filing, and upon his return he attended meetings with staff and family, candidly admitting the company had “taken a shortcut” in its 2019 listing process. That same process involved a rapid backdoor merger with Wuhan Zhongshan Commercial Group, completed in just 11 months, which is unusually swift by Chinese standards. The listing was valued at 35.65 billion yuan, granting Wang and his entities 62% control while reducing state shareholders to 1.7%. Insiders said state-owned asset managers in Wuhan sought to exit Wuhan Zhongshan due to internal conflicts, allowing Wang to negotiate favorable terms. China’s IPO market is notorious for the layers of political and regulatory approvals required, often giving rise to influence-peddling and corruption—areas where Wang admitted Easyhome had indeed “taken a shortcut” [para. 11][para. 12][para. 13][para. 14][para. 15].

Wang Linpeng was a charismatic and well-connected figure in China’s business scene. He started his career in regulatory agencies before founding Easyhome in 1999, backed by state investors. Easyhome underwent equity restructuring in 2001, phasing out state ownership, and Wang eventually became the largest shareholder by 2015. The chain expanded nationwide, gaining major investors like Alibaba and Taikang Life by 2018. Before going public, Wang held a 65% stake. However, the company has recently been battered by China’s economic slowdown and real estate crisis; in 2024, revenue fell 4% (to 12.97 billion yuan/$1.8 billion) and net profit dropped 32% (to 883 million yuan/$122 million). Wang attempted to modernize sales with digital initiatives and livestream promotions [para. 8][para. 9][para. 10].

The saga of Wang Linpeng underscores the risks and pressures at the intersection of private business, political connections, and China’s heavily regulated economic climate [para. 3][para. 4][para. 13][para. 14][para. 15][para. 16].