Bio

Cheng Zhengping was a shopkeeper in eastern China. Little is known about his early life or background details, including his date of birth. He operated a snack shop and faced challenges with competition from nearby food vendors. Cheng was reportedly envious of a rival who had a more successful business.

In September 2002, Cheng made a drastic decision that changed everything. He confessed to poisoning food at his competitor’s shop. This act resulted in the deaths of many people, including men, women, and children. The authorities reported that his rival’s fast-food outlet served breakfast snacks that Cheng laced with rat poison.

After the poisoning incident, police arrested Cheng two days later while he was attempting to flee the area. He was captured in Shangqiu, which is about 400 kilometers north-west of Nanjing, the city where the crimes took place. Cheng confessed to his actions soon after his arrest.

In October 2002, he was sentenced to death for his crimes. Cheng Zhengping's life ended shortly after, and he was executed on October 13, 2002.

Murder Story

On September 14, 2002, Cheng Zhengping poisoned food at a fast-food shop in Tangshan, Jiangsu, China. He used rat poison to taint breakfast snacks including fried dough sticks and rice balls. This act was motivated by jealousy towards a rival shop. At least 42 people, including many schoolchildren, died after consuming the poisoned food. More than 300 others fell ill.

Many victims experienced severe symptoms, such as convulsions and bleeding from the eyes and mouth. The chaos unfolded as customers began collapsing soon after eating. The local authorities quickly began an investigation to determine the cause of these illnesses and deaths.

Cheng was arrested two days later while trying to flee the area. He confessed to the crime during the investigation. The court found the evidence against him overwhelming, which led to a death sentence. Cheng Zhengping was executed on October 13, 2002. His case highlighted a troubling pattern of deliberate poisonings, which occasionally occur in China.