On January 19, 1996, the mutilated remains of Diao Aiqing (刁爱青), who disappeared nine days prior, were found across multiple locations on or near Nanjing University in Jiangsu, China. Diao Aiqing had been dismembered into over 2,000 pieces. The case remains unsolved and is one of the most notorious crimes in the city. The case is officially known in China as the Nanjing 1-19 Incident or 1-19 Dismemberment Case.

Disappearance

Diao Aiqing was born in March 1976 in Shengao, Jiangyan District in the city of Taizhou, Jiangsu. She is the youngest of two siblings. According to her older sister, Diao Aihua, their family lived poorly, and she (Aihua) dropped out of school to find work. Meanwhile, Diao continued her studies and performed academically well. Diao successfully enrolled herself at Nanjing University. She arrived in Nanjing in October 1995 to attend the university's School of Adult Education. She majored in computer applications at the Department of Information Management. To avoid disrupting her studies, her family limited communications with Diao, even as far as not notifying her about the death of her grandfather and sister's marriage. Diao was described as "introverted and simple". She also did not enjoy interacting with people.

On January 10, 1996, in the evening, Diao and her dormitory roommate were punished for the illegal use of an electrical appliance. After a conflict with the dormitory management, she left the building and did not return. Diao was last seen alive wearing a red coat with a black lining. She was reported missing, but her family was not notified by the authorities until January 19.

Discovery

The discovery of Diao's remains in the winter of January 19 was first reported by a sanitary worker who found meat in a bag. Initially, they were thought to be pork, hence the worker brought the meat home for food. While preparing the meat, three human fingers were found. The worker reported the discovery to the police who confirmed they were from a human. Human remains in plastic-wrapped packages were eventually discovered across eight locations around the university, including at a stadium, entrance gate, hospital, and at roadsides. The police later confirmed the scattered remains were of Diao's and informed her father to visit Nanjing. Between January 20 and 30, Diao's head and clothes were found.