The trial of three men accused of murdering Hong Kong socialite Abby Choi Tin-fung heard testimony from the victim’s mother, Cheung Yin-fa, who described Anthony Kwong Kong-kit, Choi’s former brother-in-law, as someone who frequently sought financial support from her daughter prior to the killing.
Choi, a 28-year-old influencer, was fatally attacked during a car journey on February 21, 2023, which she believed was intended to pick up her daughter from school. Kwong, 35, who served as Choi’s substitute driver that day, is on trial alongside his father, Kwong Kau, 68, a retired police sergeant, and his younger brother, Alex Kwong Kong-chi, 31, who is Choi’s ex-husband. All three men face a joint charge of murder. Additionally, Kwong Kau denies charges of preventing the lawful burial of Choi’s body, a charge to which his two sons have pleaded guilty.
Cheung testified that Anthony Kwong often requested financial assistance, noting he described him as a “bootlicker” who repeatedly said he could not find employment. According to her, Kwong’s financial reliance persisted in the months leading to the attack. She said her daughter had provided around HK$2 million to help Kwong establish an egg waffle shop in Sham Shui Po, a venture that ultimately failed after Choi ceased funding it. Cheung further stated that Kwong frequently visited her for dinner following the shop’s closure.
Defense attorney Trevor Beel, representing Anthony Kwong, challenged this portrayal during cross-examination. He asserted that the driver role was assigned to Kwong at Choi’s request after she dismissed her former chauffeur in late 2022, and argued Choi did not substantially support Kwong’s living expenses. Beel contended the egg waffle shop was set up because Choi’s children enjoyed egg waffles, not as a financial favor. Cheung rejected this, insisting Kwong never repaid the money lent.
The prosecution’s case centers on a family dispute over a HK$72 million apartment in the Kadoorie residential complex in Ho Man Tin. Kwong Kau, who holds the property’s registered ownership, allegedly opposed Choi’s plans to sell the flat and is accused of orchestrating the murder with his sons to retain the property. Cheung described how the relationship between the families deteriorated from mid-2022 and recounted threats from Kwong Kau to kill Choi and her family if she proceeded with the sale.
Cheung also explained that the attempted sale formed part of Choi’s efforts to reclaim assets she had previously provided to the Kwong family, saying her daughter recognized the family was untrustworthy and wanted to regain control of her property. Plans were reportedly underway for Choi to purchase a new home in Tuen Mun using about HK$20 million for her two children with Alex Kwong, but the purchase was not completed before her death.
During the hearing, it was revealed that a police officer involved in the case, Detective Police Constable Ko Yan-kit, contacted Cheung via WeChat following her testimony to inquire about a flat at Whampoa Garden that she co-owned with her husband. Cheung admitted to having made an error in prior testimony concerning property ownership and clarified the registration details of both the Whampoa Garden and Kadoorie properties.
The trial, overseen by Deputy Judge Brian Keith before a nine-member jury, is ongoing.