An explosive murder trial has heard that a bitter financial dispute over a luxury £7 million property was the “root cause” behind the horrific killing and dismemberment of Hong Kong model and influencer Abby Choi by her ex-husband and in-laws.
A bitter fight over money was the “root cause” behind the horrific slaughter and dismemberment of model Abby Choi, an explosive murder trial has heard. The 28-year-old influencer and mother of four, who boasted a net worth of around £30 million, was allegedly executed in 2023 by her ex-husband Alex Kwong Kong-chi, 31, his brother Anthony, 35, and their ex-cop dad Kwong Kau, 68.
All three stand jointly accused of her murder at Hong Kong’s High Court.
Prosecutor Charlotte Draycott told the jury that an ongoing fight over finances likely motivated the slaying, declaring: “Money seems to be the root cause of this case.”
The court heard the feud erupted over a luxury £7 million apartment in Ho Man Tin purchased by Choi. For tax reasons, the property was registered in the name of her ex-father-in-law, Kwong Kau.
Tensions exploded into outright war when Choi decided to sell the flat while offering to buy the family alternative housing, South China Morning Post reported. Kwong Kau allegedly became deeply resentful, with Choi’s mother testifying that the former police sergeant made chilling death threats, snarling: “If you sell the flat, I will kill you.”
Prosecutors allege Kwong Kau masterminded the gruesome murder plot believing that if Choi died, the £7 million home would remain legally his. The court reportedly heard Choi was lured to a rented village house in Tai Po where a butchery chamber awaited.
When police raided the property, they uncovered an electric saw, meat grinders, choppers, and hammers. Choi’s legs were stashed inside a fridge, while her skull was found boiled in a stainless steel stewpot alongside carrots and vegetables, news.com.au reported.
Police Superintendent Alan Chung previously revealed: “The suspects covered the walls of the flat with a sail, and they put on face shields and raincoats so that they would not get bloodstained by dismembering the body.” Legal expert Prof Simon NM Young told news.com.au the macabre killing was highly unusual for the city.
Prof Young explained: “Financial and cross-border crimes are quite prevalent such as money laundering, drug trafficking and fraud. Murder cases are not common.
“Religious and cultural values in Hong Kong promote peace and lawfulness. When they occur, [murders] typically arise out of domestic distress, mental disturbances or gang violence.”
All three men deny murder. The two brothers have admitted to preventing a lawful burial, while their father denies that charge too. The trial continues.
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