A chilling deception unfolded in a Greenwich home, masking a predator’s calculated crimes. Chao Xu, appearing as a welcoming host, lured young women into a carefully constructed trap, a facade concealing a horrifying reality.
Xu’s arrest in June was only the beginning of unraveling a disturbing pattern of abuse. What initially appeared as a simple assault quickly revealed a meticulously planned operation designed to exploit and violate.
The truth was far more sinister: Xu used social gatherings as a pretext to bring victims to his flat, secretly filming them in the bathroom and, in some cases, drugging them with powerful sedatives to facilitate his attacks. He offered a seemingly kind gesture – a place to stay – before repeatedly violating a guest who had fallen ill.
Investigators discovered he’d administered substances designed to induce drowsiness and incapacitation, stripping his victims of their ability to consent or even defend themselves. The sheer volume and severity of his crimes left the Metropolitan Police team, operating under the code name Kafka, reeling.
In August, Xu pleaded guilty to 24 charges, including rape and sexual assault against six women. He also admitted to drugging one victim before a series of horrific assaults. While he initially denied two additional charges, prosecutors decided not to pursue a trial on those counts.
Detectives are now meticulously combing through thousands of social media posts, desperately seeking to identify any further victims and understand the full scope of Xu’s predatory behavior. Authorities in China have also been notified, as several of the most serious offenses involved Chinese citizens.
Police emphasize there is currently no known connection between Xu and another convicted predator, Zhenhao Zou, but are urging anyone with information or who believes they may have been a victim to come forward. This case underscores a disturbing trend and the urgent need for vigilance.
“He is in the category of the most prolific (sexual) offenders the Met have investigated,” stated Detective Chief Superintendent Angela Craggs, highlighting the gravity of Xu’s crimes. He offered his victims a drink he called “The Spirit of Life,” a chillingly ironic name for a substance used to subdue and exploit.
Hidden cameras captured his voyeuristic acts, while the sexual offenses themselves were recorded on his phone – a digital record of his calculated cruelty. Detective Chief Inspector Lewis Sanderson emphasized the ongoing investigation, stating, “Xu is a calculated, prolific sex offender, who has preyed on unsuspecting women using cowardly methods.”
The Crown Prosecution Service described Xu as a “serious danger to women,” acknowledging that his crimes might have continued undetected without the extraordinary bravery of the victims who came forward. Their courage has brought a dangerous predator to justice, but the search for potential additional victims continues.
The investigation remains active, with authorities determined to uncover the full extent of Xu’s offenses and ensure that any other potential victims receive the support and justice they deserve. This case serves as a stark reminder of the hidden dangers that can lurk beneath a deceptive surface.
