Timeline: How Abby Choi was murdered & dismembered despite trying to help ex in-laws with housing

Over the past week, you might have come across news reports of the gruesome murder of 28 year-old Hong Kong socialite and model, Abby Choi.

To date, four people—her ex-husband Alex Kwong, 28, and three of his family members—have been charged in connection to the case.

This came after Hong Kong police found what they believe to be her head in a soup pot, along with minced meat, carrots and green radishes.

According to the South China Morning Post, the murder is believed to be linked to a dispute over a property located in the exclusive Kadoorie Hill neighbourhood in Ho Man Tin.

The property was bought in Choi’s ex father-in law, Kwong Kau’s, 65, name.

SCMP further reported that Choi had intended to sell the property has an investment consideration, and promised to resettle her former husband and his family members elsewhere, but was met with fierce opposition.

Who was Abby Choi?

According to CNA, Choi was the daughter of a wealthy family running a construction business, and had a personal net worth of more than HK$100 million (S$17.2 million).

 

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A post shared by Abby Choi (@xxabbyc)

On Feb. 13, 2023, she was featured on the cover of  luxury lifestyle magazine L’Officiel Monaco, which had this to say about the influencer:

“Abby always shines bright, leaving a lasting impression on all those who are lucky enough to cross her path.”

Ex-singer Bernard Cheng, a friend of Choi, told The Standard that Choi met her first husband, Kwong, when she was 15 and married at 18.

Though the couple divorced three years later, Choi had apparently promised to take care of Kwong’s family.

The luxury Kadoorie Hill apartment at the heart of the dispute was bought when she married Kwong.

Choi later “remarried” Chris Tam (they had a ceremony but never officially registered it), whose family founded chain restaurant TamJai Yunnan Mixian.

Tam has reportedly promised to take care of Choi’s four surviving children—two from her marriage with Kwong, and two with him.

The socialite was also the co-founder of Paomes Charitable Organisation, a non-profit organisation for stray animals.

A timeline of what has happened so far

Early February 2023

SCMP reported that in early February 2023, ex father-in law Kwong Kau rented the village house where Choi’s skull and ribs would be eventually found.

Feb. 21 2023: Abby Choi is first reported missing

Choi’s chauffeur and former brother-in-law Anthony Kwong, 31, was supposed to have driven to Kadoorie Hill to meet Choi to pick up her daughter from school.

When Choi failed to show up, she was reported missing.

Anthony Kwong and his parents were questioned by police on the disappearance, but allegedly “provided false and misleading statements”.

Dim Sum Daily additionally reported that CCTV footage has emerged of two white Toyota 7-seater vehicles driving towards the village house, approximately one hour after her disappearance.

According to HK01, Anthony Kwong had been ferrying Choi in one of the vehicles when ex-husband Alex Kwong suddenly joined them.

The couple had an altercation that resulted in Choi sustaining severe injuries, rendering her unconscious.

Upon reaching the village house, it is suspected that the the brothers and their father killed and dismembered Choi.

Feb. 22 2023: Kwong Kau and Anthony Kwong travel to Junk Bay Chinese Permanent Cemetery

CCTV footage captured Anthony Kwong carrying a white plastic box suspected to contain Choi’s remains.

Police suspect that some of Choi’s remains were disposed off at Junk Bay Chinese Permanent Cemetery.

Feb. 24 2023: Some of Choi’s remains and equipment discovered

Police found a meat grinder, an electric saw, two types of choppers, a hammer, face shields, black raincoats and a purple handbag that belonged to Choi in the village house.

Two pots of soup containing human tissue and legs, suspected to belong to Choi, were found in the refrigerator.

Anthony Kwong and his parents were arrested, while police searched for Alex Kwong.

Feb. 25 2023: Alex Kwong arrested

Police arrested Alex Kwong at Tung Chung Development Pier after learning of his plan to board a speedboat to leave Hong Kong.

He was found with HK$500,000(S$85,995) in cash and luxury watches worth about HK$4 million (S$687,958) in total.

The police also carried out a search of Junk Bay Chinese Permanent Cemetery for the other missing body parts.

Feb. 26 2023: More remains, including Choi’s skull, found

A skull and several ribs were found in one of two large soup pots at the village house.

Forensic experts also found a 6.5cm by 5.5cm hole at the back of the skull, which police suspect it could have been the fatal blow.

Alex Kwong, Anthony Kwong and Kwong Kau were charged with murder.

Alex and Anthony’s mother, Jenny Li, 63, who is suspected to have been aware of the plot, was charged with perverting the course of justice.

A fifth suspect, a 47-year-old woman nicknamed “Yung Yung”, believed to be Kwong Kau’s lover, was arrested.

She is suspected of helping him to rent the ground-floor flat of the village house and another flat where Alex Kwong hid.

Feb. 27 2023: First court appearance

The suspects were remanded without bail after their first court appearance.

If found guilty of murder, Alex Kwong, Anthony Kwong and Kwong Kau face life imprisonment.

The court has adjourned the hearing to May 8.

Feb. 28 2023: Search for missing body parts continue

According to HK01, the police believe that some body parts may have been discarded, and are expected to start searching landfills.

Top image via @xxabbyc/Instagram and HK01.