A dispute over money may be behind a murder case in which seven people were killed in the Ningxia Hui autonomous region, Beijing Times reported.

Ma Yongdong, 24, is suspected of killing his pregnant wife, parents-in-law, grandparents-in-law and two children in their home on Oct 14.

Ma Guizhou, Ma Yongdong's father, said his son had a dispute over money issue with his wife, Lan Xiuying. He showed to the newspaper a wardrobe full of clothes and handbags the woman bought and told the newspaper that the woman "spends too much" money.

Ma Guizhou also said his daughter-in-law spent a lot of money on her parents and other relatives.

The dispute also caused a conflict between Ma Yongdong and his father-in-law, Lan Youbu. They both talked about "killing", according to villagers.

Ma Yongdong once told police that his wife's family owed him about 7,700 yuan ($1,260).

Ma Guizhou said he had more than 100,000 yuan in debt, while Lan Xiuying's brother, whose two daughters were killed, said his father's family owes more than 200,000 yuan in debt.