BEIJING, April 13 -- The sudden death of renowned artist-turned-tycoon Chen Yifei Sunday left the public reeling with shock and sorrow.

    Concerns have been raised regarding the cause of death of the 59-year-old artist as well as the fate of his ongoing work.

    According to a source from Shanghai's Huashan Hospital, where Chen was hospitalized, the cause of death was gastrorrhagia (or gastric hemorrhage), which was possibly related to Chen's longtime hepatitis.

    Hepatitis can easily develop into hepatocirrhosis and result in the exposure of blood vessels in the stomach. Such exposure can result in stomach hemorrhages.

    The hospital source also said the death was indirectly caused by work-related stress. Chen had been overworking, which made the disease incurable.

    However, rumors arose that Chen's family members were not convinced by the hospital's diagnosis and would seek further investigation into the cause of death.

    When Chen was hospitalized April 6, the diagnosis was stomach disease, and it was unusual that such a minor disease would cause death, according to rumors.

    However, Ms. Zhang, Chen's secretary, denied these rumors when queried by the media.

    One immediate concern from the public is whether production would be cancelled for The Barber, Chen's current film.

    Shooting of the film had been suspended for a second time due to the director's death.

    The previous suspension in 2003 almost paralyzed the cast and most roles had to be replaced after filming was renewed this February.

    A media source confirmed that the cast of The Barber attended a get-together in Nanjing on Monday and that shooting would reopen soon.

    As Chen had worked out a detailed shooting plan, the cast would simply execute the plan and no director was to be invited.

    As for Chen's business, the Yifei Group, no big changes are expected, although the services offered range from environmental design and fashion to advertising.

    In recent years, Chen's brother and son have assumed greater management roles in the group and its business branches have been operating stably.

    It is not anticipated that Chen's death will significantly change the management structure.

    As for his property, it is said that Chen made a will before his death. However, details about the will remain unknown to the public.

    A funeral ceremony will be held April 20.

(Source: Shenzhen Daily)