A couple from Nantou County got lost while hiking in the Shouguan Mountain area. The wife was rescued, but the husband, who insisted on finding his own way out, died. Initially thought to be a mountain accident, authorities today revealed that the man, surnamed Lin, was found hanging.
The 62-year-old Mr. Lin and his 57-year-old wife, surnamed Lai, both residents of Caotun Township, had gone hiking in the Shouguan Mountain area near the border of Puli Township and Ren'ai Township, at an altitude of nearly 2,000 meters. However, they got lost on their way back. The Nantou County Fire Bureau received a report on the afternoon of the 19th, and Ms. Lai was found on the morning of the 20th. But Mr. Lin insisted on finding his own way out. The search team discovered his body on the morning of the 23rd.
More than 30 personnel, including volunteer firefighters and forest patrol officers from Nantou County’s forestry agency, found Mr. Lin’s body around 8 a.m. on the 23rd in a valley of the 115th Forest Compartment south of Shouguan Mountain. He showed no signs of life. The location where his body was found was approximately 500 meters in a straight line from where Ms. Lai was rescued, but the two spots were separated by cliffs and ridgelines.
New developments emerged in the case today. Forensic examinations by prosecutors and police confirmed that Mr. Lin was found hanging and had died by suicide. His body showed no major external injuries except for minor cuts on his wrists. The reason for his suicide and whether there was any external involvement will require further investigation. The family had no objections to the cause of death, and the case has been classified as a suicide investigation.
After the couple called for help on the 19th, the fire bureau advised them to “stay put and wait for rescue.” However, Mr. Lin reportedly began experiencing hallucinations, insisting that he saw lights in the distance down the mountain. He told his wife to stay and wait for help while he tried to find a way out. Ms. Lai asked him to stay with her, but he refused. The tragic outcome followed.
Dr. Shen Zhengnan, a psychiatrist at the Caotun Psychiatric Center under the Ministry of Health and Welfare, said that unless facing significant psychological distress, it is relatively rare for someone to take their own life due to short-term environmental stress. Mr. Lin may have experienced acute confusion, affecting brain function and causing terrifying hallucinations, leading him to choose suicide as an escape. Alternatively, if Mr. Lin had pre-existing suicidal thoughts, it would be less logical for him to specifically bring his wife hiking before taking his own life.
Police reminded the public that suicide is not a solution and urged people to cherish life. Those in need of counseling or assistance can call the Life Line at “1995” or the Teacher Chang service hotline at “1980.” Thinking twice could prevent leaving loved ones with lifelong pain. 1050324
(Central News Agency)