Neil Heywood

Neil Heywood
Heywood in China
Born(1970-10-20)20 October 1970[1]
Kensington, London, England
Died14 November 2011(2011-11-14) (aged 41)
Chongqing, China
Cause of deathHomicide
Alma materUniversity of Warwick
Occupations
  • Consultant
  • businessman
SpouseWang Lulu
Children2

Neil Heywood (20 October 1970 – 14 November 2011) was an English businessman who worked in China. He was associated with Bo Xilai (the former Chinese Communist Party Committee Secretary for Chongqing, and a member of the Politburo of the Chinese Communist Party).

Heywood was found dead in a hotel room in Chongqing, and initial official reports (which have subsequently been challenged) attributed his death to alcohol poisoning. Media reports have suggested the former chief of police under Bo, Wang Lijun, may have had information concerning Heywood's death.[2]

Months after Heywood's death (6 February 2012), Wang fled to the US consulate in Chengdu, and allegedly told US diplomats of Heywood having been poisoned, and that Bo's family was involved in corruption.[3] The incident precipitated Bo's high-profile sacking two weeks later.[3] According to a reinvestigation by the Chinese authorities, evidence indicates Heywood was murdered, with Bo Xilai's wife Gu Kailai and Zhang Xiaojun, an orderly at Bo's home, being "highly suspected",[4][5] according to Xinhua News.[6] On 26 July 2012, Gu Kailai was charged with the murder of Heywood[7] and in August was convicted of the crime.

  1. ^ Harrow School Register 2002 8th edition edited by S W Bellringer & published by The Harrow Association
  2. ^ Bristow, Michael (29 March 2012). "China scandal: Bo Xilai allegations 'preposterous'". BBC. Retrieved 10 April 2012.
  3. ^ a b Walker, Angus (27 March 2012). "A city of silence: Mystery over British businessman's death". itv.com. Retrieved 10 April 2012.
  4. ^ Kang Lim, Benjamin (10 April 2012). "China says Bo Xilai's wife suspected of murder China suspends Bo from elite ranks, wife suspected of murder". Reuters. Retrieved 10 April 2012.
  5. ^ "Police reinvestigate death of Neil Heywood according to law". Xinhua News Agency. 10 April 2012. Archived from the original on 13 April 2012. Retrieved 10 April 2012.
  6. ^ "China calls for support amid Bo Xilai fall-out". BBC. 11 April 2012. Retrieved 11 April 2012.
  7. ^ "Bo Xilai scandal: Gu Kailai charged with Heywood murder". BBC News. 26 July 2012. Retrieved 26 July 2012.