Photo: the Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University website

Public security authorities in China have conducted a joint investigation into the death of a graduate student surnamed Luo from the Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University in Central China's Hunan Province and initially ruled the case a suicide with no criminal involvement, according to a statement released by the joint investigation team on Friday, as reported by CCTV News.

Since August, Luo's family has submitted tip-offs to the Hunan Provincial Health Commission, public security agencies, and other relevant departments, while also raising concerns online, including suspicions of "organ trafficking in the hospital." The family also accused the hospital of persecuting Luo for reporting a doctor surnamed Liu.

In November, a joint investigation team comprising the Hunan Provincial Health Commission, Central South University, and the Changsha Public Security Bureau was formed to conduct a comprehensive review of the case and the issues raised by the family, according to the statement. 

At 8:10 am on May 8, 2024, the Changsha Public Security Bureau received a report that a man had fallen to his death outside a building in a residential complex in Yuhua District. Ten minutes later, officers from the Yuhua Branch arrived at the scene to conduct an investigation and forensic examination. The man was later confirmed as Luo, who is a 2021 master's student specializing in kidney transplant surgery at the Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University.

Police said Luo was last seen entering his apartment building alone on May 6, 2024, and did not leave until the incident. Surveillance footage captured his fall on the morning of May 8. An external examination and toxicological testing of the body revealed extensive injuries consistent with a high fall. Toxicology tests found no traces of drugs or sedatives.

Investigators found no signs of forced entry or struggle in Luo's apartment. A scheduled social media post Luo had set before his death also indicated suicidal intent, according to the statement.

Authorities concluded after investigation that Luo reached the rooftop alone, climbed over a wall, and jumped to his death. The case was ruled a suicide with no criminal involvement. On May 17, 2024, Luo's family accepted the findings and declined an autopsy.

The 50 organ donation records provided by Luo's family were verified as materials that Luo had copied and retained during his graduate studies for research purposes. The joint investigation team conducted a thorough review using the China Organ Transplant Response System (COTRS) and the National Organ Transplant Registry System, confirming that all 50 organ donations were fully traceable from source to allocation. Fingerprint analysis and interviews with relevant parties further confirmed that all donations were made with the informed consent of the donors' families, with authentic signatures and fingerprints. No evidence of illegal activity was found.

Luo's family suggested that he had been targeted after allegedly exposing wrongdoing by a surgeon surnamed Liu involved in a high-profile corruption case. However, the investigation found that Luo had limited interaction with the doctor in question, had never performed surgery alongside Liu. The investigation also confirmed that the Hunan Provincial Health Commission, Central South University, and the hospital had not received any reports from Luo regarding Liu. During the investigation of the Liu's case, relevant authorities also did not seek any information from Luo.

After Luo's death, the hospital assisted the family with funeral arrangements and extended condolences, providing humanitarian aid in light of their financial difficulties. On October 31, 2024, a lawyer representing the family submitted an excessive compensation request, which the hospital declined, according to the release. 

The release also noted that authorities made multiple attempts to communicate their findings to Luo's family, who rejected in-person briefings. In May, after a series of legal petitions by the family requesting a criminal investigation, police upheld their earlier conclusion.

Global Times