The trial for the murder of model Abby Choi began at the Hong Kong High Court on 30/9, following the selection of a jury comprising eight men and one woman.

The three defendants are Kwong Kau, Choi's retired ex-father-in-law; Anthony Kwong, Choi's ex-brother-in-law and a driver; and Alex Kwong, Choi's ex-husband, who was unemployed. All three are charged with murder and obstructing the lawful burial of a body.

During a previous hearing, Alex Kwong and Anthony Kwong admitted to obstructing the lawful burial of the body but pleaded not guilty to murder.

In the opening statement, the prosecutor highlighted the significant wealth disparity between Abby Choi and her ex-husband's family. The prosecutor detailed how financial arguments and a plan to sell a luxury apartment led to the murder plot.

"Money appears to be the core reason for this case," the prosecutor told the jury.

Two marriages

According to the prosecutor, Abby Choi was a model and online influencer. She married Alex Kwong in 2013 when she was 19 years old and he was 18. They had two children: one son, one daughter.

During their marriage, Alex Kwong never worked. His father was a former police officer, and his mother reportedly had no stable employment; the Kwong family was not wealthy.

The prosecutor also mentioned that Alex Kwong had defrauded six people online, totaling over 6 million HKD. He was arrested in 2/2015. The case went to trial in 11/2015, but Alex Kwong failed to appear and absconded until his arrest following Abby Choi's death.

Abby Choi was murdered at 28 years old. Photo: Instagram

In 2015, Abby Choi began a relationship with Chris Tam, who came from a wealthy family. They had a daughter in 2016. As the divorce proceedings between Abby Choi and Alex Kwong were not finalized, they did not officially register their marriage but still held a wedding ceremony. In 2019, they had another son.

Chris Tam's father gifted Abby Choi an apartment in Manhattan Hill and entrusted her with money for investments due to his confidence in her.

Evidence shows that after her divorce, Abby Choi continued to provide financial support to Alex Kwong. Since 2020, she transferred 25 million HKD to a watch trading company's account. This money may have been used by Alex Kwong to purchase watches.

60 million HKD apartment dispute

After her divorce, concerned that the Tam family might not want her two children from her previous marriage living with them, Abby Choi purchased an apartment in Kadoorie Hill, Kowloon, for nearly 60 million HKD (7,6 million USD). The apartment was very close to her private residence.

Due to tax reasons, she put the apartment under Kwong Kau's name, hired two domestic helpers and one driver to care for and transport her children. The Kwong family also moved into this apartment.

Since 2022, the relationship between Kwong Kau and Abby Choi deteriorated. Abby Choi wanted her daughter to attend school closer to home, so she wished for the Kwong family to relocate to the Tuen Mun area. She planned to sell the Kadoorie Hill apartment.

In 6/2022, Abby Choi met her ex-father-in-law, proposing he sign the necessary documents to sell the apartment. However, Kwong Kau refused. In another exchange in 7/2022, Kwong Kau attempted to assault her but was stopped by Chris Tam.

In court, the prosecutor played several voice messages Abby Choi sent to her mother. She angrily called her ex-father-in-law a "swindler" and "ungrateful", and expressed concern that the Kwong family would incite her children against her.

In 11/2022, Abby Choi's mother threatened to resolve the dispute through legal action. Kwong Kau agreed to sign a power of attorney. Abby Choi demanded he move out of the apartment and cease contact with her children. The prosecutor believes that from this point, Kwong Kau conceived the idea to murder Abby Choi.

Murder and disposal plot

According to the prosecution's argument, if Abby Choi died, Kwong Kau could move back into the apartment while the property remained in his name. However, he realized he could not execute the plan alone, so he involved his two sons.

The prosecutor stated that all three knew the plan's purpose was to kill Abby Choi, and each assumed a different role. The identity of the person who directly committed the act was not important, as all three defendants were complicit in the conspiracy.

The three defendants recognized that regularly transporting Abby Choi and her children to school could create an opportunity for her to be alone. Subsequently, Kwong Kau allegedly rented a house in Lung Mei village to dispose of the body. During the rental process, he repeatedly communicated with his two sons by phone.

The house where Abby Choi's body parts were found. Photo: Hk01

Abby Choi disappeared on 21/2/2023. Three days later, body parts believed to be hers were found in a house in Tai Po district. Police also discovered a meat slicer, an electric saw, and some clothing.

According to the indictment, the three defendants are accused of murdering Abby Choi on 21/2/2023, and obstructing the lawful burial of her body between 21/2 and 23/2/2023.

The preliminary trial for Abby Choi's murder is expected to last at least 45 days. The prosecutor noted that the enormous volume of DNA testing required of forensic experts made the case lengthy to bring to trial.

Murder in Hong Kong carries a penalty of life imprisonment.

Tue Anh (according to On.cc, CNN)