The trial of three members of a Hong Kong family accused of murdering model and influencer Abby Choi has opened, more than three years after her dismembered remains were discovered at a suburban property.
Choi’s former husband, Alex Kwong, his father Kwong Kau and his brother Anthony Kwong have all pleaded not guilty to murder charges.
The three men appeared before a nine-member jury on Wednesday and remained calm as prosecutors began outlining their case. If convicted of murder, they face life imprisonment.
Choi’s Remains Were Found in 2023
Choi, who was 28 when she died, was reported missing in February 2023. Police subsequently found parts of her body at a house in Lung Mei Tsuen, in the suburbs of Hong Kong.
Her legs were discovered inside a refrigerator, while her skull and several ribs were found in a soup pot at the property.
The case attracted widespread attention in Hong Kong, where serious violent crime is comparatively uncommon.
Prosecutors Allege a Property Dispute Led to the Killing
The prosecution told the court that financial disagreements involving Choi and her former husband’s family had developed around a luxury property.
According to prosecutors, Choi had purchased the flat for HK$60 million, equivalent to about $7.65 million, and had initially arranged for it to be registered under the name of her former father-in-law.
Prosecutors said the arrangement had been made years earlier to avoid higher taxes.
The relationship between Choi and the Kwong family allegedly deteriorated in 2022 after she decided to sell the property.
Father Allegedly Became Angry Over the Sale
Prosecutor Charlotte Draycott told jurors that Kwong Kau, a 68-year-old retired police sergeant, became “extremely resentful and angry” when Choi attempted to sell the luxury flat.
The prosecution alleges that he subsequently decided to kill Choi because he wanted to retain the property.
Prosecutors further allege that the three defendants worked together, with each playing a role in Choi’s killing and the subsequent disposal of her remains.
“We say three of them decided they would do it together,” Draycott told the court.
These are prosecution allegations and will be tested during the trial.
Two Defendants Admit Concealing the Body
In addition to the murder allegations, all three men were charged with preventing the lawful burial of a body.
Alex Kwong and Anthony Kwong have pleaded guilty to that separate charge, while the murder allegations against the three defendants remain contested.
The proceedings are expected to examine the events surrounding Choi’s death, the alleged handling of her remains and the financial dispute involving the property.
Choi Had Four Children
Choi had two children with Alex Kwong following their marriage before the couple divorced.
She later married Chris Tam, with whom she had two more children.
Her death came while she was still active in the fashion and social-media world. The influencer had more than 140,000 Instagram followers and had shared photographs from Paris Fashion Week only days before she was killed.
Her final social-media post featured a photoshoot she had completed for L’Officiel Monaco.
Friends Remember Choi as Kind and Supportive
People close to Choi have described her as someone who maintained strong relationships with those around her.
Her husband, Chris Tam, said he was grateful to have had her in his life and praised her for being supportive, according to comments shared by friend Pao Jo-yee.
Pao, who said she had known Choi for more than seven years, told the Associated Press that Choi treated people well and was known for helping others.
“She is that type of person that wouldn’t have enemies,” Pao said.
Another friend, Mr Cheng, said Choi had good relationships with her family and that she had even travelled with relatives from both her current and former husband’s families.
Trial Expected to Continue Until December
The murder trial was adjourned until Friday and is expected to continue until December.
The prosecution will present its evidence before the defence has an opportunity to respond to the allegations.
Choi’s father-in-law was reported by local newspaper The Standard to be the founder of one of Hong Kong’s well-known noodle chains.
