An influential figure to her extensive following, Lhamo, known for her uplifting content showcasing outdoor activities and culinary skills, met a tragic end one fateful evening.
In September 2020, while live-streaming from her father’s kitchen to over 400 viewers on Douyin, the Chinese equivalent of TikTok, the jovial farmer and social media personality was abruptly interrupted by an intruder, causing her to scream in terror before the screen went dark, marking the final moments her audience would witness.
The intruder was revealed to be Lhamo’s abusive ex-husband, Tang Lu, whom she had divorced twice, the second time under duress as he threatened harm to their children if she refused. Tang had a history of violence towards Lhamo, but this time he escalated the brutality by dousing her in gasoline and setting her on fire.
Reported by The China Project, Lhamo’s father, who was in another room during the attack, rushed her to the hospital where she was found with severe burns covering 90% of her body. Despite efforts to save her, Lhamo succumbed to her injuries after two weeks of battling in the intensive care unit.
Tang was arrested, tried, and convicted of homicide, receiving a death sentence for his heinous crime, which the court deemed as “extremely cruel” warranting severe punishment. Despite his appeals being denied, Tang was executed in the summer of 2022 as confirmed by state-run broadcaster CCTV.
Beyond her public persona, Tibetan influencer Lhamo, residing in Jinchuan, Sichuan, had been struggling to protect herself and her children from Tang’s abusive behavior.
Despite reporting instances of abuse to the authorities, Lhamo was dismissed with the response that it was a private family matter, leaving her vulnerable to further harm. Even when her sister attempted to intervene and reported Tang for causing serious injuries, the response was inadequate, leading to tragic consequences.
While Lhamo’s story ended tragically, it has brought attention to the issue of domestic violence in China, prompting the #LhamoAct movement advocating for the automatic divorce rights of abuse survivors and stricter enforcement of domestic violence laws.
In a UN conference address, Chinese President Xi Jinping emphasized the national obligation to protect women’s rights, citing Lhamo’s case among others. Additionally, Chinese singer Tan Weiwei paid tribute to Lhamo and other women in a poignant feminist song.
For confidential assistance, contact the 24-hour National Domestic Abuse Freephone Helpline at 0808 2000 247 or visit womensaid.co.uk. If you need support after losing a loved one to fatal domestic abuse, AAFDA (Advocacy After Fatal Domestic Abuse) offers specialized assistance. Visit aafda.org.uk for more information.
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