The Disappearance and Discovery
Abby Choi, a Hong Kong model, socialite, and influencer, was reported missing on February 21, 2023. Just three days later, on February 24, her headless body was found in a village in Tai Po, a suburb of Hong Kong. Some of her remains were discovered hidden in a refrigerator, while others had been cooked. Her skull and some ribs were found in a pot. This gruesome discovery led the police to classify the case as murder. Choi was last seen entering a car driven by her hired driver, who was also her ex-brother-in-law.
Suspects and Arrests
To date, seven suspects have been arrested in connection with Choi's murder. These include her former husband, brother-in-law, parents-in-law, her former father-in-law's alleged mistress, and two friends of her former husband. The police investigation and subsequent trials are ongoing.
Background
Abby Choi started her career as an influencer, gaining a significant following on social media. Despite her rising popularity, she remained relatively unknown in Hong Kong until mid-2022. She frequently attended Paris Fashion Week and was featured in magazines such as Elle, Harper’s Bazaar, and Vogue. She had over 100,000 followers on Instagram and was featured on the cover of L’Officiel Monaco shortly before her death.
Choi was born into an ordinary family. After her parents divorced, her mother remarried, and the family became wealthy through construction and mining businesses in Mainland China. At the time of her death, Choi’s net worth was estimated to be over HK$100 million. She was also known for her philanthropic efforts, co-founding Paomes Charitable Organisation to help stray animals.
At 18, Choi married Alex Kwong and had two children during their three-year marriage. After their divorce, Choi formed a new family with Chris Tam Fong-Chun, and they had two children together. Despite the divorce, Choi maintained a close relationship with her ex-husband and his family.
The Investigation
The police initially arrested three suspects on February 25, 2023: Choi’s former brother-in-law Anthony Kwong, her hired driver, and his parents. Alex Kwong, Choi’s ex-husband, was arrested after a citywide manhunt. It was alleged that Choi’s former father-in-law, Kwong Kau, masterminded the murder over a money dispute involving a luxury apartment in Kadoorie Hill, one of Hong Kong’s most prestigious addresses.
On February 26, 2023, police found Choi’s severed head and ribs in a pot of cooked soup. They also arrested Ng Chi Wing, Kwong Kau’s mistress, who allegedly helped hide Alex Kwong before his attempted escape. The search for Choi’s missing hands, torso, and other body parts continues, with over a hundred officers involved in the search.
By February 27, 2023, Alex Kwong, his brother, and father were charged with murder, while his mother was charged with perverting the course of justice. All four were denied bail and held in remand pending further investigation. Ng was charged with assisting a murder suspect and released on bail. Additional arrests included Henry Lam Shun, who helped Alex Kwong escape, and Irene Pun Hau-yin, a friend of Alex Kwong, who was arrested in Shenzhen, China, for aiding Kwong’s escape attempt.
Legal Proceedings
According to Hong Kong law, a conviction for murder carries a mandatory life sentence. Previously, the death penalty was the only punishment for murder until it was abolished in 1993. Choi’s mother filed a court injunction to prevent Kwong Kau from selling the property linked to her daughter’s murder and sought a declaration that Choi was the beneficiary owner of the apartment.
A pre-trial conference on May 8, 2023, revealed that bloodstains matching Choi’s DNA were found in her former brother-in-law’s car. The prosecution presented over 30 exhibits, including knives, chainsaws, and hammers, for DNA processing.
Community Reaction
The murder of Abby Choi shocked the Hong Kong community and made international headlines. The case drew parallels to other notorious murder cases in Hong Kong’s history. Thousands of fans and netizens offered condolences, with some expressing disappointment over the lack of a death penalty in Hong Kong.
Choi’s family and friends, including Hong Kong actor Aaron Kwok and his wife Moka Fang, expressed their grief and remembered Choi as a loving mother, wife, and friend. Her children’s school offered counseling to help them cope with the trauma.
A Taoist ritual was planned in Tai Po’s Lung Mei Village to calm Choi’s spirit due to the horrific nature of her death. The police assured the public they would ensure justice for Choi and her family, using GPS records and CCTV footage to solve the case.
Choi’s funeral was held on June 18, 2023, and her family and friends gathered outside the crime scene to pay their respects.
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Closing Thoughts
Reflecting on this tragedy, it's clear that multiple people made catastrophic mistakes. Many of these issues could have been resolved with a simple conversation. The apparent jealously and greed that fueled this horrific crime are sobering reminders of how destructive these emotions can be. Jealousy, often called a disease of the heart, has the power to ruin lives and bring unimaginable pain to innocent people. In the end, I hope Abby Choi can finally rest in peace. Her legacy as a kind-hearted, fashionable, and influential woman will live on in the hearts of those who knew and admired her.
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