How missing CCTV footage turned a Chinese family’s tragedy into a national conspiracy

A mother's search for the truth about her son's death exposes the level of public distrust in China's authorities

On Mother's Day last Sunday, 17-year-old Lin Weiqi wished his mother - referred to only as Madame Lu in Chinese media - a good day. Mum, enjoy your day," he said to her that morning. He was Lu's only child. Like most Chinese parents of the one-child generation, Lin was her pride and joy.

Late in the afternoon, before Lin had gone back to his school in the south-western city of Chengdu, Lu prepared snacks for him in case he was hungry in the evening. Nothing seemed out of the ordinary until an hour later.