For the wife of Bo Xilai, the deposed Chongqing Communist party chief, it was never supposed to end up like this, writes Leslie Hook in Beijing. Gu Kailai, an ambitious lawyer from a well-connected family, was arrested on suspicion of murdering British businessman Neil Heywood, according to state media.
The downfall of Ms Gu, a glamorous figure with a talent for music and foreign languages, has sent shockwaves through Beijing’s political elite and is the biggest twist yet in the leadership saga that has unfolded as Mr Bo is ousted from power.
Ms Gu’s arrest also sheds an uncomfortable light on the roles played by Chinese leaders’ wives, who are often active in business and can trade on their husbands’ connections.