A New Zealand court has sentenced Kaixiao Liu, the leader of a religious sect, to more than ten years in prison after finding him guilty of manslaughter and kidnapping in connection with the death of 70-year-old Shulai Wang, a follower who had travelled from China's Hainan Island to live with him. Wang had moved into Liu's home near Auckland — which he called "the Ark" — in August 2023, where several female followers lived under strict rules and referred to Liu as "Lord" or "Master"; she died in March 2024 after attempting to escape and being forcibly restrained, and her body was later found wrapped in rice bags near Gulf Harbour marina. Liu's wife was also sentenced to nearly eight years in prison, while his parents, convicted on related charges, are yet to be sentenced; the judge said Liu had shown "callous indifference" and that Wang "died a lonely, frightening death" because of him.