Mr. Ma Fatou was a practitioner from Zhengzhou City, Henan Province. He had many illnesses before practicing Falun Gong, which all disappeared after he began the practice. After July 1999, when the persecution of Falun Gong started, his son, daughter and son-in-law were unlawfully arrested and taken to a brainwashing class for persecution. His home was illegally searched and he had money extorted from him many times. The persecution caused Mr. Ma tremendous mental pressure, and eventually led to severe illnesses. He died on August 25, 2003.