Hong Kong (CNN) The Chinese media's reporting of the death of coronavirus whistleblower doctor Li Wenliang caused confusion and anger Thursday night, as Li was first pronounced dead, then alive and, finally, dead again.

The conflicting reports over his condition only exacerbated public grief among Chinese netizens who largely considered Li, 34, to be a hero for his early attempt to raise awareness of the coronavirus. Li's actions caused him to be targeted by the local police, who tried to silence him.

Here is how the reporting of Li's death played out over Thursday and Friday, local time:

At around 10 p.m. Thursday -- News begins to circulate on Chinese social media that Li Wenliang has died of the Wuhan coronavirus.

The rumors provoke a huge outpouring of grief and anger among Chinese netizens, many of whom already saw Li as a tragic figure after he contracted the virus he had tried to warn others about.

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