Case file
2023 Taichung inheritance case
On 4 May 2023, an 18-year-old high school student surnamed Lai registered a same-sex marriage with 26-year-old Hsia Chao-yuan in Taichung, Taiwan. Two hours later, Lai fell to his death in Beitun District. The case drew widespread public attention due to the unclear circumstances of the fall, the complicated family background of the deceased, and the fact that Lai had recently inherited real estate valued at approximately NT$500 million, with some estimates placing the value at over NT$1.2 billion.
According to the Wikipedia case overview, Lai's grandfather had entrusted a scrivener surnamed Hsia with transferring land to Lai as a gift. On the morning of 4 May 2023, Hsia Chao-yuan, the scrivener's son, met with Lai, and the two recruited two strangers as witnesses to register a same-sex marriage at a household registration office. They then went to Hsia Chao-yuan's apartment in Beitun District. Two hours later, Lai was found lying downstairs and was pronounced dead after being taken to hospital. His skull was reported intact with no obvious bloodstains at the scene, and initial emergency reports described the incident as a person collapsing on the street.
Forensic pathologist Kao Ta-cheng was commissioned by Lai's family to investigate the cause of death. A dispute arose after Hsia Chao-yuan retained 30 property certificates belonging to the deceased; Lai's mother's lawyer demanded their return, and when Hsia refused, a complaint for occupational embezzlement was filed. Kao later stated the case had become a confrontation between the victim's side and prosecutors, questioning the credibility of Hsia's account and noting conflicts with the prosecution's forensic report. The autopsy concluded the cause of death was consistent with a fall from height.
On 21 June 2023, the Taichung District Prosecutors Office concluded its investigation and, citing a lack of direct evidence of homicide, did not prosecute Hsia Chao-yuan or his father for murder. Prosecutors instead charged Hsia under Article 214 of the Criminal Code of the Republic of China, finding that the marriage registration had not been intended to establish a marital relationship but rather to cause a public official to make a false entry. The victim's family sought reconsideration of the non-prosecution decision for murder; after further investigation ordered by the Taichung Branch of the Taiwan High Prosecutors Office, prosecutors again declined to prosecute for murder in May 2025, and a subsequent request for reconsideration was rejected on 20 June 2025, making that decision final.
On 28 June 2024, the Taichung District Court found Hsia Chao-yuan and the deceased had jointly committed the offense of causing a public official to make false entries and sentenced Hsia to one year and six months' imprisonment without possibility of commutation to a fine. The appellate court rejected Hsia's appeal on 23 January 2025, and Hsia began serving his sentence on 3 February 2025.
In a related civil action, the Taichung District Court ruled on 18 June 2025 that the marriage lacked the substantive intent required for a valid marriage and declared it invalid; this judgment became final as neither party appealed. Disputes over inheritance distribution among Lai's mother and siblings remain unresolved.
Key facts
- Victims
- Lai
- Date
- 2023
- Location
- Beitun District, Taichung, Taiwan
- Case status
- solved
Case timeline
2023-05-04
Lai, an 18-year-old high school student, registers a same-sex marriage with Hsia Chao-yuan in Taichung; two hours later, Lai falls to his death in Beitun District.
2023-06-02
Hsia Chao-yuan remains in possession of 30 property certificates belonging to the deceased; Lai's mother demands their return, leading to an occupational embezzlement complaint.
2023-06-15
Forensic pathologist Kao Ta-cheng states the case has become a confrontation between the victim's side and prosecutors, citing conflicting forensic findings.
2023-06-21
Taichung District Prosecutors Office concludes its investigation, declines to prosecute Hsia Chao-yuan or his father for murder, and charges Hsia under Article 214 of the Criminal Code for causing false entries in official documents.
2023-06-28
Mediation in the civil litigation between the two parties fails after Hsia Chao-yuan does not appear.
2023-07-03
Victim's family applies for reconsideration of the decision not to prosecute for murder.
2023-07-11
Taichung Branch of the Taiwan High Prosecutors Office confirms receipt of the case file for review.
2023-07-28
High Prosecutors Office orders further investigation into the case.
2023-08-04
Case file is returned to the Taichung District Prosecutors Office after further investigation is ordered.
2024-06-28
Taichung District Court finds Hsia Chao-yuan and the deceased jointly committed the offense of causing false entries in official documents, sentencing Hsia to one year and six months' imprisonment.
2025-01-23
Appellate court rejects Hsia's appeal and upholds the first-instance judgment, making the conviction final.
2025-02-03
Hsia Chao-yuan begins serving his sentence.
2025-05
Following renewed investigation, prosecutors again decide not to prosecute for murder.
2025-06-18
Taichung District Court rules the marriage invalid for lacking substantive marital intent; judgment becomes final as neither party appeals.
2025-06-20
Taichung Branch of the Taiwan High Prosecutors Office rejects the family's reconsideration request, making the non-prosecution decision for murder final.
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People
Hsia Chao-yuan
CONVICTEDConvicted of jointly causing a public official to make false entries in official documents under Article 214 of the Criminal Code; sentenced to one year and six months' imprisonment, upheld on appeal. Not prosecuted for murder due to lack of direct evidence.
Lai
VICTIM18-year-old high school student who died in a fall in Beitun District, Taichung, two hours after registering a same-sex marriage; had recently inherited real estate valued at approximately NT$500 million.
Roles reflect public records and court outcomes at the time of writing — supporting citations are on file under Sources.
Places
Common questions
- What happened to the victim?
- An 18-year-old Taiwanese high school student, surnamed Lai, died in a fall in Beitun District, Taichung, two hours after registering a same-sex marriage with 26-year-old Hsia Chao-yuan on 4 May 2023, shortly after inheriting real estate reportedly worth roughly NT$500 million to over NT$1.2 billion; prosecutors ultimately declined to prosecute for murder, but Hsia was convicted of causing a public official to make false entries in official documents.
- Where did the crime happen?
- Beitun District, Taichung, Taiwan.
- Who was convicted?
- Hsia Chao-yuan (Convicted of jointly causing a public official to make false entries in official documents under Article 214 of the Criminal Code; sentenced to one year and six months' imprisonment, upheld on appeal. Not prosecuted for murder due to lack of direct evidence.).
- What is the current status of the case?
- Status: solved. Last verified July 2026.
Related cases
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Sources
- 2023 Taichung inheritance casewikipedia · Wikipedia · 2026-07-07
- Contemporaneous coverage — news.tvbs.com.twnews · news.tvbs.com.tw · 2026-07-07
- Contemporaneous coverage — udn.comnews · udn.com · 2026-07-07
Last verified JUL 2026