World | Chen Guangcheng Why Chen Left Embassy: China Threatened to Kill Wife He speaks to AP, says he wants to leave country By Kate Seamons Posted May 2, 2012 10:25 AM CDT Copied In this undated photo, blind activist Chen Guangcheng, center, is seen in a village in China. (AP Photo/Supporters of Chen Guangcheng, HO) The plot thickens. Chen Guangcheng today spoke to the AP via phone from his hospital room, and revealed why he actually left the US Embassy: He says an American official shared with him that China threatened to kill Chen's wife if he didn't go. A US official, however, claimed no knowledge of the threat, but did say that Chen was informed his family would be sent home if he remained in the embassy. Chen tells the AP that he now fears for his safety and wants to leave the country. Read These Next Horrific tragedy reported at Rob Reiner's house. Rob Reiner's son has been arrested after murder of his parents. Police interviewing family member after deaths of Rob Reiner, wife. The Reiners murders and arrest have called attention to a 2015 film. Report an error