The elevator maintenance crew didn't check to see if anyone was inside the elevator before cutting off the power.

In a statement, the Gaoling district government said two maintenance workers turned off the power on Jan. 30 after they were called to check on a glitch.

A repair crew returned to the elevator on March 1 and found the 43-year-old woman's corpse.

According to the Associated Press, Chinese police have concluded her death was caused by negligence on the part of the maintenance crew in a case of involuntary manslaughter.

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Carleigh Knight (left) and her sister, Natalie Rogovin, look at Christmas ornaments while shopping at Kudzu Antiques + Modern in Decatur on Tuesday, Nov. 25, 2025. (Natrice Miller/AJC)

Credit: Natrice Miller