Dapu Zhang Senwen Passes Away, Photos Destroyed in House Demolition, Only a Portrait Could Serve as His Memorial Photo

Yesterday was the Mid-Autumn Festival, a day for family reunions, and the family of Dapu demolition holdout "Zhang Pharmacy," Zhang Senwen, faced their first Mid-Autumn Festival without a father. Because questions still remain among various parties regarding the cause of Zhang Senwen's death, the Miaoli District Prosecutors Office treated it as an important criminal case and ordered an autopsy and examination; his body has been kept at the funeral parlor and sealed. The Zhang family, following rural custom, hoped that Zhang Senwen could return to his son's home for encoffining.

Peng Xiuchun, who lost her husband, accompanied by students, slept at her son Zhang Yuanhao's home. She was extremely uneasy and would occasionally still call out, "Papa! Papa!" In her daze, she did not realize that Zhang Senwen had already left. "Right now I just hope she stays safe." Lin Lexin, a researcher with the Taiwan Rural Front who was responsible for accompanying Peng Xiuchun as she slept, said they would do their utmost to help Peng Xiuchun and her son get through this difficult time.

Because Zhang Pharmacy was demolished in a lightning forced demolition by Liu Zhenghong using what he called a "heaven-sent opportunity," all the medicines and medicine jars were smashed by excavators, yet the drug supplier still demanded payment for the goods from the Zhang family according to contract; and the head of the household, Zhang Senwen, suddenly passed away, making Peng Xiuchun and her son's financial situation even more difficult. But before the miscellaneous matters such as the funeral and handling of the body are settled, Peng Xiuchun has no time to think carefully about these issues.