Police in Hong Kong have arrested an 87-year-old man in connection with the vandalism of the tomb of late film actress Linda Lin Dai. The incident came to light after cemetery staff at St Michael’s Catholic Cemetery in Happy Valley reported damage to a grave, prompting an investigation.

Authorities discovered that a marble altar at Lin Dai’s gravesite had been covered in cement. Following the inquiry, the elderly suspect was taken into custody on August 4 and subsequently charged with one count of criminal damage. He appeared in Eastern Court on August 17.

Linda Ching Yuet-chue, professionally known as Lin Dai, was a celebrated actress in the 1950s and early 1960s, often referred to as the “Elizabeth Taylor of the East.” Over the course of her career, she earned the best actress award four times at the Asia-Pacific Film Festival. Lin Dai died by suicide at the age of 29 in 1964, leaving a lasting impact on the film community and her fans.

The authorities have not disclosed the motive behind the vandalism, and the investigation remains ongoing. The site of the damage has been cordoned off as police continue their work.