Hong Kong murder trial opens over dismembered body of influencer Abby Choi
Abby Choi, 28, was found dismembered in a refrigerator in Hong Kong after being reported missing since 21 February 2023. [2] Her ex-husband and his family face charges of murder in a case that began its trial this week, more than three years after the crime. [2]
Opening of the Trial
The trial against Abby Choi's ex-husband and his family opened Monday this week in Hong Kong's High Court. [2] Alex Kwong, 28, his brother Anthony Kwong and their father Kwong Kau, a former policeman, are charged with murder and preventing a lawful burial. [2] All three appeared in court wearing masks and appeared calm, with Kwong Kau in a white T-shirt and the sons in suits. [2] People gathered outside the court, and a live broadcast was set up for the public. [2] Abby Choi's father left the High Court during a break in proceedings. [2] If convicted of murder, the defendants risk life imprisonment. [2]
Discovery of the Body
Abby Choi was reported missing on 21 February 2023 and was last seen in the Kowloon City area. [2] Friends raised the alarm after she suddenly disappeared and stopped responding, saying it was unthinkable she would voluntarily leave her children. [2] Three days later, police made a macabre discovery at a house in Lung Mei village. [2] Parts of her dismembered body were found in a refrigerator. [2] Tools recovered at the scene included a meat grinder, an electric saw, meat cleavers and clothes with blood stains. [2] Two pots believed to contain human tissue were also found. [2] Police searched a landfill for her head and other remains. [2] Walls in the apartment were covered with tarpaulins. [2]
Background of the Victim
Abby Choi was a well-known influencer and model who had attended Paris Fashion Week as a guest of Dior. [2] She maintained an Instagram account with over 100,000 followers, sharing covers from fashion magazines, travels from London to Shanghai and luxury clothes from major brands. [2] She was born into a wealthy family that ran a large construction business in China. [2] Choi was also an animal-rights advocate who helped found a charity organisation that rescued injured cats and dogs. [2] She left behind four children. [2]
Alleged Motive and Planning
Choi first married Alex Kwong in 2012 and they had two children before divorcing in 2016. [2] She later married Chris Tam and had two more children. [2] Despite the divorce, she continued to support Alex Kwong and his family financially and maintained a close relationship, referring to his brother Anthony as her own brother and employing him as her private driver. [2] The relationship soured after Choi planned to sell a luxury apartment she had bought for the Kwong family and her children. [2] Police chief Alan Chung stated at a press conference that some were dissatisfied with how the victim managed her assets, and that this was the motive for the murder. [2] Police believe the killing was carefully planned and that the family had rented the Lung Mei house specifically to carry out the crime. [2]
Arrests and Court Proceedings
Ex-husband's parents and brother were arrested first. [2] Alex Kwong was arrested on 25 February while attempting to flee the city by boat from Lantau island. [2] He was carrying over 600,000 Norwegian kroner in cash and luxury watches worth around 4 million Norwegian kroner. [2] After the murder, Choi's two children from her first marriage were cared for by her mother. [2] A grand funeral was held four months later in Hong Kong, covered in her favourite colour pink, with hundreds of friends, celebrities and family attending. [2] Pop star Aaron Kwok sent flowers, and actress Adrienne Lau, who was present, described Choi as a "flott og godhjertet" friend who "elskede å hjelpe folk" and "brakte glede til alle rundt seg." [2]
Other Global Crime Incidents
Bandits attacked Dukura community in Kebbe Local Government Area of Sokoto State on Monday, killing two people and rustling livestock and motorcycles. [1] Sokoto State Police Public Relations Officer DSP Ahmed Rufai confirmed officers engaged the attackers in a gun battle after receiving information, forcing a retreat, though the killings occurred before police arrival. [1] In Tamale, Ghana, the Northern Regional Police Command arrested five persons during an intelligence-led operation at the Aboabo Scrap Area on Monday, September 21, 2026, seizing two foreign-made pistols, ammunition, suspected narcotics and other items. [3] The suspects included Ibrahim Issahaku, 39; Mohamed John, 28; Mohamed Nawas, 25; Mohamed Osman Awal, 41; and Kwame Boateng, 28. [3] In South Africa, taxi boss Joe “Ferrari” Sibanyoni testified at the Madlanga Commission on Monday, 21 September 2026, describing an “avalanche” of deaths among persons known to him and rejecting any improper relationship with police or hiring of hitmen. [4]
What to watch next: Prosecutors are expected to present their case later this week. [2] The Northern Regional Police Command says it will continue intelligence-led operations in the region. [3] The Madlanga Commission will interrogate evidence once a date is scheduled for Sibanyoni's next appearance. [4]
