Wei Guangxiu, known as the 'Head-Hitting Ghost,' was a 26-year-old man from Anhui Province. He targeted middle-aged women, often choosing victims in secluded areas at night. He used blunt weapons like iron pipes or rods to strike victims from behind, causing severe head injuries. His motive was robbery, and he was known to move between districts using public transportation. He was described as around 1.7 meters tall, robust, and likely an outsider familiar with the local areas.
The police captured Wei Guangxiu after identifying his residence in Songnan Town, Huabang Er Village. A special task force conducted a surprise raid on his home, where they found incriminating evidence, including a necklace with a 'Mingyue' lock piece. Wei attempted to escape by jumping from the balcony but was apprehended. He was later convicted and executed for his crimes.
The 'Head-Hitting Ghost' crimes caused widespread fear and panic in Shanghai. Women avoided going out alone at night, and families took extreme measures to protect their loved ones, such as husbands escorting wives and fathers accompanying daughters. Businesses, especially restaurants and entertainment venues, suffered significant losses due to decreased nighttime activity. The crimes severely disrupted social order and public safety.
In 1998, Niu Kangbin, a fugitive from Hanchong, Shaanxi, was involved in a brutal murder in Zhengzhou. He and three accomplices randomly targeted a couple in a residential area, beating them to death with wooden sticks. The couple's young daughter witnessed the crime. Niu fled the scene and remained at large for 18 years until his capture in Shanghai in 2012, where he was living under the alias Wei Qiu.
Niu Kangbin was identified through a bank account opened under his son's name. Shanghai police, collaborating with Shaanxi and Zhengzhou authorities, matched his alias, Wei Qiu, to his real identity. His capture was facilitated by his accomplices' testimonies and his unusual habits, such as preferring noodles over rice, which hinted at his northern origins. He was eventually arrested and confessed to his crimes.