Xiaozheng Lin’s increased jail sentence for killing two Melbourne sex workers in 2022
Consensus Summary
Xiaozheng Lin’s jail sentence for the manslaughter of two Melbourne sex workers, Yuqi Luo (31) and Hyun Sook Jeon (51), was increased from 14 years to 18 years by Victoria’s Court of Appeal on May 27, 2026, with a non-parole period of 14 years. The killings occurred within 24 hours on December 27, 2022, after Lin stole money and personal items from both victims. Lin initially pleaded guilty in 2024, avoiding a double-murder trial, but prosecutors appealed the sentence, arguing it failed to reflect the severity of two separate, unprovoked attacks. The appeal court emphasized Lin’s lack of remorse and the aggravating factor of the short timeframe between the killings. Lin’s new sentence will expire in December 2040, accounting for time already served.
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Key details reported by multiple sources:
- Xiaozheng Lin’s sentence for manslaughter was increased from 14 years to 18 years (with a non-parole period of 14 years) by Victoria’s Court of Appeal on May 27, 2026.
- Lin killed Yuqi Luo (31) and Hyun Sook Jeon (51) in Melbourne within 24 hours on December 27, 2022.
- Lin initially pleaded guilty to two counts of manslaughter in 2024, avoiding a double-murder trial.
- Lin stole $7,000 cash, handbags, and a phone from Yuqi Luo’s La Trobe Street apartment and used Hyun Sook Jeon’s bank cards to pay phone bills and sports betting.
- The Court of Appeal described Lin’s actions as ‘two unlawful killings of two female victims within a 24-hour period’ and noted he showed ‘no pangs of conscience.’
Points of Difference
Details reported by only one source:
- Justice Stephen Kaye’s original 14-year sentence (with a minimum of 9 years) was deemed ‘manifestly too low’ by the appeal court.
- Lin claimed a fight broke out with Yuqi Luo when he demanded additional sexual services but refused to pay an extra $100 fee, though he admitted shaking Hyun Sook Jeon during the second attack.
- The appeal judges cited the ‘extraordinary’ nature of two killings within 24 hours as an aggravating factor.
- Lin’s new sentence will expire in December 2040, accounting for time already served.
- Victoria’s Director of Public Prosecutions Brendan Kissane KC argued the original sentence did ‘not reflect two completely separate victims and killings.’
- The Court of Appeal’s full written reasons were expected to be published later on May 27, 2026.
Contradictions
Conflicting information between sources:
- ABC states Lin was 25 years old at the time of the killings, but NEWSCOMAU does not specify his age in the provided text.
Source Articles
'Inadequate' jail sentence for sex worker killer increased after appeal
Xiaozheng Lin will spend more time in prison for killing two sex workers in 2022, following an appeal by the prosecutor.
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A man who killed two sex workers in less than 24 hours will spend significantly more time in jail after a fresh court loss.