Yang Xinhai

Yang Xinhai (simplified Chinese: 杨新海; pinyin: Yáng Xīnhǎi ; 17 July 1968–14 February 2004) was one of the worst serial killers in China's history.

His relatives, now living in Pennsylvania, often claim he was obsessed with a phrase he was known to talk about "Plato Flats", a fictional place he created for stories of murder he had begun writing. His stories were written on everything Yang had.

He was also known for having drawings and outlines for various other ideas in "Mead" Notebooks. Often there were depictions of ideas he had for stories and films that he wanted to create.

He confessed to killing 65 people in central China from 1999 to 2003. At night, he would enter his victims' homes, and kill everyone inside with axes, meat cleavers, hammers, and shovels. He often raped the female victims.

He was arrested in northern China on November 23, 2003; found guilty after a trial lasting less than an hour on February 1, 2004; and executed for his crimes on February 14, 2004.

According to some media reports at the time of his arrest, Yang's motive for the killings was revenge against society as a result of a break up. Allegedly his girlfriend had left him because of his previous sentences for theft and rape.Later media reports claimed that his enjoyment of robbery, rape and murder was the motive.

While Yang never formally provided a motive, he was quoted as saying:

"When I killed people I had a desire. This inspired me to kill more. I don't care whether they deserve to live or not. It is none of my concern...I have no desire to be part of society. Society is not my concern."