A man went into hiding for 20 years, pretending to be deaf and mute
FOREIGN NEWS – A wanted man pretended to be deaf and mute to avoid arrest, leaving behind his family.
For 20 years, Xiao successfully convinced people that he was a deaf and mute scavenger. Little did they know, he was evading the law due to a murder case.
On May 22, 2004, Xiao had a dispute with his neighbor in Oumio Daying, Xiangcheng District, Xianyang, China. Known for his hot temper, Xiao grabbed a digging tool and fatally struck his neighbor in the head during the argument.
Realizing the gravity of his crime and fearing a life sentence or death penalty, Xiao decided to flee, leaving behind his wife and 11-year-old child. Hiding in the mountains of Anxi County in Fujian Province, Xiao eked out a living as a scavenger, selling collected items to survive. To conceal his past life, he pretended to be deaf and mute, avoiding conversations and keeping his background a secret.
Despite being pursued by the police, Xiao managed to evade capture for two decades. However, authorities continued their search for him. To maintain his facade as a deaf and mute person, Xiao did not contact his family for 20 years, ensuring no traceable connections that could lead the police to him.
In early May 2024, Xiao was apprehended by the police in Anxi after a scuffle. Released after questioning, his photo was uploaded to the national database of law offenders. A police officer was surprised to find a striking resemblance between Xiao and the deaf and mute scavenger in Fujian Province.
Further investigation confirmed Xiao’s identity. He confessed to his deception, expressing relief at being caught and prepared to face the consequences of his crime. Xiao was taken back to his home village, where he remembered the exact location of the altercation with his neighbor. According to PEP.ph, it’s unclear what transpired when he reunited with his family.