Chinese film director Lai Yuqing, 23, dies after fall from Phnom Penh residence, police investigating
A 23-year-old Chinese film director, whose debut feature was shortlisted at international film festivals, has died after falling from a residential building in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. Police are continuing investigations into the circumstances surrounding her death.
- A 23-year-old Chinese director fell from a residential building in Phnom Penh and later died in hospital.
- CCTV footage shows she entered the residence with acquaintances shortly before the incident.
- Police have questioned two friends and are analysing fingerprints as part of ongoing investigations.
CAMBODIA: A 23-year-old Chinese film director, Lai Yuqing (赖宇晴), died after falling from a residential building in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, according to local reporters.
Lai was rushed to hospital following the fall but was pronounced dead on 2 January after two days of medical treatment.
Hospital records indicated she died from severe head and bodily injuries caused by the impact.
Police outline incident timeline
Police reports identified the deceased as a Chinese national who had been living in Phnom Penh.
The incident occurred at around 12.30 am on 30 December 2025, when Lai fell from the first floor of a private residence.
The ground floor of the house was occupied by the landlord, while the first and second floors were rented out.
The first floor was rented by a man identified as Jatla Siddartha and a woman named Li Fang, while the second floor was occupied by a French national.
CCTV footage showed that at about 11.22 pm on 29 December, a French man returned home and opened the compound gate while Lai was standing outside. She was later brought into the house and went upstairs to the residential area.
In the early hours of 30 December, CCTV recorded voices coming from the upper floor before Lai fell from a height. An Indian man and a Chinese woman were seen rushing downstairs to check on her and assisted her after the fall.
Friends questioned, evidence collected
Police confirmed that two acquaintances who knew Lai — Jatla Siddartha and Li Fang — were on the same floor at the time of the incident. Both were later brought to the Criminal Police Department to assist with investigations.
Authorities also collected fingerprint evidence from the railing at the scene as part of ongoing inquiries.
Father travels to Cambodia
Lai’s father travelled from China to Cambodia after the incident to handle post-death arrangements.
He told police that his daughter had arrived in Cambodia in 2024 and had been working with friends on short drama productions.
However, he said he was not familiar with the details of her work or personal life in Cambodia.
Internationally recognised filmmaker
According to the Mulan International Film Festival website, Lai was originally from Fujian, born in Tianjin, and had studied in New York, Los Angeles and Toronto.
Her debut feature film, Whisperings of the Moon, was shortlisted for the 30th Busan International Film Festival, with its story set in Phnom Penh. Her works were also selected for festivals including the Toronto International Film Festival, BFI Flare, and the Sundance Ignite shortlist.
Previous interview sheds light on work in Cambodia
In a previous interview with film magazine TIDE, Lai shared that her first trip to Phnom Penh was for a workshop to produce a short-film version of her project.
She credited strong support from her producers, including Lily, whom she met in the United States, Jatla, whom she described as her mentor during the workshop, and Esther, Jatla’s long-term producer, who she said took good care of the team.
Police investigations into the incident are ongoing.
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