Influencer Lhamo, known for her uplifting content about nature and cooking, tragically met a horrific fate one evening while livestreaming from her father’s kitchen in September 2020. With over 400 viewers on Douyin (Chinese TikTok), a man suddenly entered the room, causing Lhamo to scream in fear before the screen went dark, marking the last time her followers saw her alive.
The intruder was identified as Tang Lu, Lhamo’s violent ex-husband whom she had divorced twice, the second time under coercion after he threatened their children. Tang, who had a history of abusing Lhamo, escalated his violence by dousing her with gasoline and setting her on fire during the livestream.
Despite her father rushing her to the hospital immediately after the attack, Lhamo sustained severe burns, with 90% of her body affected. She fought for her life for two weeks in the intensive care unit, but her extensive injuries proved fatal.
Tang was arrested, convicted of homicide, and sentenced to death for his heinous act, which was deemed cruel by the court. Despite his appeals being rejected, Tang was executed in the summer of 2022.
Lhamo, a Tibetan influencer residing in Jinchuan, Sichuan, had been enduring abuse from Tang, sustaining injuries like a dislocated elbow over the years. Despite her attempts to seek help from authorities, she was dismissed, leaving her vulnerable to further harm.
Her sister, Ms. Dolma, also tried to intervene and reported Tang after he caused injuries that required hospitalization. However, Tang was released after brief questioning, highlighting a failure in addressing domestic abuse cases promptly.
While Lhamo’s tragic story cannot be rewritten, it has raised awareness about domestic violence in China, leading to the #LhamoAct movement advocating for better protection of abuse survivors and stricter enforcement of related laws.
Chinese President Xi Jinping emphasized the need for national commitment to women’s rights at a UN conference, with Lhamo being honored in a powerful feminist song by Chinese singer Tan Weiwei.
For those affected by domestic abuse, support is available through the National Domestic Abuse Freephone Helpline or organizations like AAFDA. Sharing personal stories can also help raise awareness and prompt action against such atrocities.