Lin YURU

Classification: Murderer
Characteristics: In order to use their insurance money to pay off her gambling debts
Number of victims: 3
Date of murder: 2008 - 2009
Date of birth: 1982
Victims profile: Madam Hou Yueyun, 53 (her mother) / Madam Zheng Huishen, 47 (her mother-in-law) / Mr Liu Yuhang, 27 (her husband)
Method of murder: Pushing her down a flight of steps / Poisoning
Location: Nantou County, Taiwan
Status: Sentenced to a death penalty and two life imprisonments, but Taichung Supreme Court branch commuted her to three life imprisonments

A Taiwanese woman named Lin Yuru, successively murdered her own mother, mother in law and husband in order to use their insurance money to pay off her gambling debts. Lin, aged 28, was addicted to betting on underground lottery since 2003. As a result she chalked up huge gambling debts totalling many millions of yuan.

In 2008 she murdered her mother by pushing her down a flight of steps, gaining around 5 million yuan from a prior accident insurance policy. In the following year, she poisoned her mother in law while she was warded in hospital and in the next month used the same tactic on her husband, causing both of their deaths. Her wicked deeds were only revealed when she applied to receive 12 million yuan from the insurance company, arousing their suspicions. The company called the cops on her, prompting them to investigate this case and discover her crimes.

Crazy woman killed her husband and two mothers for insurance

BeijingShots.com

February 8, 2012

A woman named Lin Yuru killed her mother, mother- in-law and her husband, an attempt to fraud on the insurance, as a result of obsessing with Mark Six, according to Taiwan media reported on January 8.

Lin was sentenced to a death penalty and two life imprisonments, but Taichung Supreme Court branch commuted her to three life imprisonments, because the judge thought “a life for a life” hasn’t the most important consideration, while Lin admitted crime and regretted. The case still can be further appealed.

When Lin listened to the sentence yesterday that she can escape death, she was expressionless. Her lawyer Zhou Zhifeng said, “Lin has admitted all crimes, the law should give her a way out. I will suggest her not to appeal.” But Lin’s husband’s aunt indignantly said, “I completely unacceptable. I must appeal!” She continued to say that the family was ruined by Lin, she actually killed her husband for the second time when she didn’t success for the first time. She wrote a letter after arrested, and said I found a lawyer against her. She said she don’t understand why the judge would change the original sentences for deep remorse.

Lin Feng, the Chief executive of Judicial Reform Foundation said that the judge considered the murder is not necessarily to sentence to death, which is merit. But the victims’ families still have the right to appeal, if they are dissatisfied.

Taiwan's 'most frightening woman killer'?

The New Paper

April 15, 2010

SHE gambled so heavily that she allegedly murdered her family members in order to repay her debts.

Now, Lin Yuru, 28, faces three death sentences for allegedly killing her mother, mother-in-law and husband to cash out on their insurance policies.

Prosecutors in Nantou, Taiwan, asked for the three death penalties for Lin after she was charged on April 7, reported Apple Daily Taiwan.

Lin had reportedly confessed to the killings during police investigations.

The case has gripped the nation, with Lin being dubbed "Taiwan's most frightening woman killer".

Lin allegedly bought life and accident policies for her mother, mother-in-law and husband in May last year. She is said to have plotted their murders to get payouts of NT$17 million (S$750,000) to repay debts of almost NT$10 million.

On Nov 10, 2008, Lin is said to have pushed her mother, Madam Hou Yueyun, 53, who was walking down the stairs at home. Madam Hou died at the scene and Lin subsequently received NT$5.06 million in insurance claims.

In May last year, Lin accompanied her mother-in-law, Madam Zheng Huishen, 47, to see doctors at a hospital. That month, Lin also bought life insurance for her four-year-old son.

Lin arranged for her mother-in-law to stay in a single room, where she allegedly added crushed sleeping pills and anti-depressant pills to Madam Zheng's intravenous drip.

Called for help

Lin called for help after finding her mother-in-law dead in bed. She later received NT$7.43 million from insurers.

Last June, Lin allegedly used similar means to murder her husband, Mr Liu Yuhang, 27. She reportedly injected crushed sleeping pills and methanol into his intravenous drip while he was being treated in a hospital.

Nurses found Mr Lim in time and gave him emergency treatment, saving his life.

But last July, Lin allegedly poisoned her husband at home and added poison into his intravenous drip when he was in hospital.

Mr Liu died and Lin later claimed NT$4.75 million from insurers.

The murders were exposed after insurance companies discovered irregularities and reported them to the police.

Lin raised suspicions after making claims for her mother-in-law and her husband within two months.

Blood samples from the victims showed that they had been fed various substances, including pesticides and other medicines that doctors had not prescribed.

Last December, investigators found the toxic chemical methanol, which had caused Mr Liu's death, in Lin's home.

Although Taiwan has not carried out any executions since 2005, prosecutors said Lin deserved capital punishment because of the cold-blooded way in which the murders took place.