Sun's family reported the information to investigative reporters at Southern Metropolis Daily in Guangdong, on 25 April, during the SARS epidemic—the official reaction or lack of it to SARS had already created much controversy on the Internet, so Internet activity soon skyrocketed, hundreds of thousands of messages, with help from Sun's friends and outraged sympathizers.
Sun's family disclosed the details to investigative correspondents at Southern Metropolis Daily in Guangdong on April 25 during the SARS crisis—the public's reaction or lack thereof to SARS had already sparked heated online discussions, resulting in a massive influx of messages as Sun's friends and sympathizers lent their support.