A high-profile murder trial began in Hong Kong involving the death of socialite and influencer Abby Choi Tin-fung, whose dismembered body was found after she disappeared in February 2023. The trial, scheduled to last around eight weeks, is being held at the High Court and centers on the alleged involvement of Choi’s ex-husband, Alex Kwong Kong-chi, 31, his elder brother Anthony Kwong Kong-kit, 35, and their father, retired police sergeant Kwong Kau, 68.
Choi, 28, known for her appearances in Asian fashion magazines and her social media presence, came from a wealthy family with substantial construction interests in mainland China. She married Alex Kwong at age 18 and had two children with him before they divorced. Despite the separation, Choi maintained a relationship with her former in-laws and allowed them to live in a luxury apartment she purchased in 2019 in the Kadooria residential estate, Kowloon. The flat, worth approximately HK$60 million, was bought partially to provide a residence close to her home in Kowloon Tong where her children could be cared for.
Tensions arose in 2022 when Choi sought to sell the apartment, leading to a falling out with Kwong Kau. Prosecutors allege that Kwong Kau initially refused to authorize the sale by withholding his signature on a power of attorney, causing repeated disputes. Choi reportedly expressed frustration in private messages, accusing the family of ingratitude despite her financial support for them and her children. Under legal pressure, Kwong Kau eventually signed documents allowing the sale, resulting in his eviction from the apartment and relocation to a smaller flat with his son in a subsidized housing complex.
According to the prosecution, the dispute over the apartment escalated to a fatal outcome in early 2023. Prosecutor Charlotte Draycott stated that Kwong Kau became “extremely resentful and angry” over losing the flat and orchestrated Choi’s murder to retain control of the property. The prosecution outlined a scheme involving all three accused men, who allegedly rented a house in Tai Po’s Lung Mei Tsuen to kill Choi and dispose of her body. Evidence presented in court described the body being dismembered, with reports indicating parts found in a rented house, including her skull reportedly cooked in a stewpot.
Alex Kwong and his brother pleaded guilty to preventing the lawful burial of Choi’s remains, while their father denied this charge. All three deny the murder allegations. The prosecution emphasized that, regardless of which defendant dealt the fatal blow, they acted in concert. The case also highlighted financial disparities within the families, with the Kwongs having fewer resources compared to Choi’s affluent background and the wealth of her later partner, Chris Tam Fong-chun, with whom she had additional children.
The trial continues with further evidence and testimony to be presented before a nine-member jury.