BEIJING • Chinese actor Kimi Qiao Renliang, 28, who had roles in television dramas, including Tiny Times 1.0, was found dead in a Shanghai apartment following a suspected suicide. His agent told Sina.com after news of the death last Friday that he suffered from severe depression, which was aggravated by online rumours about him last year.

Shanghai police last Friday night said a man was found dead in a Qishun road home. Homicide was ruled out after preliminary investigations. The Shanghai native's death was later confirmed by his management company.

Police responded to a call made by Qiao's live-in girlfriend, according to reports. Wounds found on his body were thought to be self-inflicted, reported China Radio International.

His agent, identified as a Miss Zuo in reports, said she was making Qiao's illness public to refute online speculation about how he died. "There was none of it. He did not play any games. I need to clear his name," she said, in a reference to talk that he died from sexual asphyxia.

She said Qiao suffered for years from insomnia. He sought perfection and placed harsh demands on himself, which led to much pressure, added Miss Zuo. "There were rumours and slander about him, especially last year, which worsened his condition," she told Sina.

Qiao gained popularity after taking part in the 2007 talent show My Hero, winning second place to Monster Hunt (2015) star Jing Boran. He was also in Legend Of Lu Zhen, To Youth 2 and Our Ten Years.