WEI Dong, former president of Yongjin Group, died "unexpectedly" on April 29, according to two separate statements filed by Sinolink Securities Co Ltd and Qianjin Pharmacy Co Ltd to the Shanghai Stock Exchange yesterday.
In another statement filed to the Shenzhen Stock Exchange yesterday, Jiuzhitang Co Ltd said Wei died due to health reasons.
Yongjin Group is the biggest shareholder of Sinolink Securities and Jiuzhitang, and the second-largest shareholder of Qianjin Pharmacy.
The death of Wei, 41, sent shock waves across the industry because he was seen as having a knack for leading companies to get listed. He was also at the prime of his career.
According to Caijing Magazine, Wei jumped out of the window from his ninth floor apartment in Beijing last Tuesday afternoon. It cited an unnamed source as saying that Wei was under investigation prior to his death.
Sina.com published a letter entitled "To my dearest people" last Thursday, reportedly the last words written by Wei and sent by his relatives to the Internet portal.
In the letter, Wei said he was suffering from serious insomnia and depression due to working pressure.
"The recent external environment put me under mounting pressure. The serious insomnia and depression made me unable to face life and I had no confidence to get rid of it in the future. I decided to free everyone and free myself," said the letter.
Wei said it was a cowardly act but pleaded for understanding by those who loved him and hoped mental diseases would be taken seriously.
In January, Sinolink Securities secured regulatory approval to sell public shares via a back-door listing.