The urn containing the ashes of late Cantopop star Anita Mui Yim-fong has been missing for three months, prompting a public appeal from the singer’s family. The disappearance was first discovered on July 18 at a columbarium niche in Po Lin Monastery on Lantau Island, according to the family and police.
A fan paying tribute to Mui noticed that the screws on the door panel of the niche were loose, and the urn inside was absent. The fan immediately reported the incident to Mui’s family, who subsequently filed a police report. Police confirmed the report was received on July 18 and said the case is being handled by the Lantau district crime squad as a "request for police assistance." So far, no arrests have been made.
In a statement issued on Saturday, which coincided with what would have been the singer’s 63rd birthday, Mui’s family expressed profound distress over the ongoing situation, describing the case as causing “immense distress and mental torment.” The statement also noted the added emotional strain following the recent passing of Mui’s mother, describing the family’s experience as a “dual blow” affecting their physical and emotional well-being.
Neither the family nor the police suggested any extortion attempts linked to the missing urn, and reports indicate that no other urns at the monastery's columbarium have been affected. The family chose not to have a portrait at the niche, opting for a low-profile arrangement.
Public reaction has been strong, with fan groups expressing shock and urging the monastery’s management to improve security and provide an explanation. One prominent group, Mui Nation, described the incident as “absurd" and morally unacceptable. Many fans voiced their sorrow and frustration on social media, condemning the theft.
Singer-actor Patrick Tam Yiu-man, an apprentice of Mui, voiced his hope for the urn’s recovery and questioned the security measures in place at the monastery. Po Lin Monastery has declined to comment on the matter due to the ongoing investigation.
Authorities are urging anyone who visited the columbarium on or before July 18 and observed suspicious activity to come forward. The family also requested that visitors who drove to the site review any available dashboard camera footage. Evidence such as leads, photos, or videos can be reported to the Lantau district crime squad or through a dedicated WhatsApp hotline.
The incident has drawn attention amid a recent arrest by anti-triad officers involving the theft of urns from a different columbarium in Sha Tin last year, where ashes of kung fu master Lau Kar-leung were taken. While no direct link has been established between the two cases, the earlier arrest has heightened public concern over the security of such sites. The family and authorities continue to seek information to locate the missing ashes and provide closure.