China actor Yu Menglong's death sparks online speculation, mother says he was drinking alcohol when he fell

37-year-old Chinese actor Yu Menglong recently fell to his death from a building in Beijing after drinking alcohol, according to his mother.

The shock discovery of Yu's body at the foot of a community apartment in Beijing's Chaoyang district on Sep. 11 had sparked controversy online about whether foul play was involved.

According to mainland Chinese dailies, a resident walking a dog in the estate around 6am chanced upon the body of Yu in a pool of blood on the ground, and called the police.

A window screen above the fall location appeared to be damaged, and the window was ajar.

Two men, believed to be friends of Yu, were subsequently seen speaking to authorities at the scene.

According to insider sources, Yu had dinner with a group of friends on Sep. 10, before returning home in the wee hours of the morning and locking himself in his bedroom.

Police ruled out foul play

Amidst speculation about Yu's death, Yu's studio posted a statement on Weibo on Sep. 11 confirming that Yu had died from a fall that day.

Police had ruled out foul play, the studio wrote.

On Sep. 16, the studio shared a follow-up statement supposedly from Yu's mother.

"Of late, I have experienced immense grief after my beloved son, Yu Menglong, fell from height after drinking alcohol, leaving us forever," she wrote in Mandarin.

Yu's mother said the police have informed the family of their investigation findings, and her son's funeral arrangements have been completed.

She urged readers to view the incident in a rational light and refrain from speculation.

"Finally, I hope Menglong is at peace in heaven now. To everyone who has shown us concern and helped us, thank you."

Born in Xinjiang, Yu graduated from Beijing Performing Arts College and famously starred in the period dramas Go Princess Go (2015) and Eternal Love (2017).

Yu also released 10 singles and participated in talent shows in Xi'an and Hunan, according to his Baidu page.

Top image from Weibo/China media