WBIW.com News - local

Brought to you by WBIW News and Network Indiana

Woman Faced Fear, Control, Intimidation Before Her Death

Last updated on Thursday, October 22, 2015

(BLOOMINGTON) - On the day of her death Yaolin Wang sent a text message to a friend - “My nightmare is back.”

On September 30, Wang's body was found in an outdoor patio area of Stratum Apartments. She had suffered more than 10 stab wounds.

Her murderer, 20-year-old Chuanlin Xiao, was found hanging from his belt in a common-area stairway that led to the basement apartments.

Bloomington Police ruled the deaths a murder-suicide

According to Bloomington Police Capt. Joe Qualters, the couple's relationship was based on fear, control, intimidation and abuse.

Wang and Xiao met during the spring semester at North Seattle Community College in Washington, where Wang received her associate's degree in business before transferring to IU.

Qualters immediately imposed himself on Wang by moving into her home and refusing to leave.

"There was probably both physical and mental abuse as Xiao tried to assert control over her life," Qualters added.

Wang did not seek help. But friends tried to intervene, but Xiao threatened them.

Xiao arrived in Bloomington on August 22. As he did in Seattle, he moved right in with Wang, against her wishes.

"Wang resisted seeking outside assistance and did not want police involved because the issues were 'too personal,'" Qualters added. "It was a cultural issue making it difficult for her to seek help."

Police say Xiao traveled to Seattle on September 19 and returned unannounced on September 30 - the day he ended Wang's life.

Alarming statistics indicate that, as you read this short sentence, a woman has become the victim of assault.

According to the Partnership Against Domestic Violence, every 9 seconds, another woman in the U.S. is beaten..

It's a sobering reality one in four women in our country will experience domestic violence in her lifetime, most of these victims will be between the ages of 20 and 24, according to the nonprofit Safe Horizon.

Violence against women may occur mostly behind closed doors - 60 percent of domestic violence happens at home - but that doesn't mean the problem is any less visible. It pours out into the streets - domestic violence is the third leading cause of homelessness among families - and into future generations.

Girls who witness domestic violence and don't receive help are more likely to enter an abusive relationship as a teen. And boys from families of domestic violence are far more likely to become abusers as teens and adults, if no one intervenes.

Here are some startling numbers:

1340 AM WBIW welcomes comments and suggestions by calling 812.277.1340 during normal business hours or by email at comments@wbiw.com

© Ad-Venture Media, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Click here to go back to previous page