In brief
Zhenhao Zou, a convicted rapist, is accused of drugging and assaulting two women within 24 hours. Despite being sentenced for multiple rapes, concerns remain about additional victims. The Metropolitan Police continue to investigate as new victims come forward, revealing the depth of Zou's criminal behavior and the impact on the survivors.
Two women who reported being drugged and raped by prolific sex offender Zhenhao Zou said they were attacked within 24 hours of each other, the BBC has established.
The first woman, who we are calling Rachel, reported being shocked to learn about the second attack and felt guilt for not reporting her own rape sooner. Metropolitan Police detectives investigating Zou's offenses initially questioned whether the two women might be the same person due to the similarity of the attacks.
Metropolitan Police sources described Zou as confident, stating he felt untouchable and continued to escalate his assaults. Zou was sentenced to life in prison, with a minimum term of 24 years, for drugging and raping 10 women across two continents.
Following the trial, fears emerged that he may have attacked up to 50 more women, as 24 others came forward with accusations following the original sentencing in June. This investigation underscores the severity and scale of Zou's predatory behavior.
Rachel, after initially refraining from reporting her experience due to concerns about evidence and exposure, submitted an anonymous statement to the Metropolitan Police in March 2025. Another victim, referred to as Female D, reported a separate assault by Zou on the same day as Rachel's attack, which was documented with video evidence.
Zou’s criminal actions and his methods—such as drugging victims with a cocktail containing substances like butanediol—reveal a calculated strategy to incapacitate and exploit vulnerable women.
Despite his conviction, the Met Police continues to appeal to any other potential victims to come forward, emphasizing the importance of their investigations in ensuring justice for all affected.
Former schoolmates of Zou have reported his preoccupation with creating spy cameras and his ongoing interest in illicit drugs, only reinforcing the fears surrounding his criminal history.
In summary, as the investigation unfolds, both victims express regret and a sense of responsibility for not acting sooner, highlighting the psychological burden many survivors face in such traumatic situations.
