Man Fakes Funeral to Escape Drunk Driving Charges

In January 2023, a man identified as Si was arrested in Hunan, China, for driving under the influence of alcohol. This was his third offense, and he faced potential imprisonment.

To avoid legal consequences, Si devised a plan to fake his own death with the assistance of his family. In June, they purchased a coffin, and Si staged his death by scattering empty medicine bottles in his home and using cooling equipment to simulate a corpse.

During the funeral, while his coffin was being lowered, Si fled to Yunnan Province. Police later discovered inconsistencies, such as the pre-purchase of the coffin and the absence of a death certificate or mortuary record.

Surveillance footage confirmed Si was alive, leading to a manhunt. He was apprehended in early October 2023 and sentenced to five months of criminal detention along with a fine of 20,000 yuan ($3,000).

A criminal investigation against his mother and grandmother for aiding him is ongoing.