ABBY CHOI MURDER TRIAL BEGINS MORE THAN THREE YEARS AFTER HONG KONG MODEL WAS KILLED

The murder trial of Hong Kong model and socialite Abby Choi has finally begun, more than three years after her death shocked the city and drew international attention.

Choi, 28, was reported missing in February 2023. Days later, police discovered parts of her remains inside a village house in Tai Po, Hong Kong, leading to one of the city’s most closely watched murder investigations.

On Monday, September 21, the trial of her former husband and two former in-laws began at Hong Kong’s High Court.

Alex Kwong, his father Kwong Kau and his brother Anthony Kwong are accused of murdering Choi. All three have also been charged with preventing the lawful burial of her body. If convicted of murder, they face life imprisonment.

A CASE THAT SHOCKED HONG KONG

Choi disappeared on February 21, 2023, after failing to appear as expected to pick up her daughter.

Three days later, police found partial remains at a three-storey village house in Lung Mei Tsuen, Tai Po. Investigators said the property had been rented by her former father-in-law.

Authorities subsequently recovered body parts from the property, including her legs from a refrigerator and her head from a cooking pot. Police also discovered equipment they said could have been used to dismember a body.

Investigators searched surrounding areas and a landfill for additional evidence as the investigation continued.

EX-HUSBAND AND FAMILY FACE TRIAL

Choi had married Alex Kwong when she was 18. The couple later divorced and she remarried, eventually having four children.

Despite the divorce, reports said Choi remained financially connected to Kwong and his family.

Investigators have previously said they believed a dispute involving a luxury property worth around £10.7 million was linked to the alleged motive.

However, the allegations will now be tested in court, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty.

Alex Kwong was arrested several days after Choi’s disappearance while authorities were searching for him. Police said he was detained as he allegedly attempted to leave Hong Kong by sea.

The investigation also uncovered blood evidence in a vehicle linked to the family, while forensic teams searched for other evidence connected to Choi’s death.

CHOI’S HIGH-PROFILE LIFE

Before her death, Choi was known as a model, influencer and socialite who regularly appeared at fashion events and shared photographs of her lifestyle with tens of thousands of followers online.

She had recently attended Paris Fashion Week and had appeared on a magazine cover shortly before her death.

Her killing attracted enormous attention in Hong Kong, where serious violent crime is relatively uncommon. Crowds gathered outside the court as proceedings began, while arrangements were made for members of the public to follow the hearing.

TRIAL EXPECTED TO LAST 45 DAYS

The three defendants appeared in court wearing masks. Kwong Kau wore a white T-shirt, while his two sons appeared in suits.

The jury trial is expected to last approximately 45 days.

The prosecution is expected to present its case during the coming proceedings, with evidence examining what happened to Choi in the days surrounding her disappearance and the circumstances in which her remains were discovered.

More than three years after Abby Choi’s death, the trial now marks a major new chapter in a case that has remained in the public spotlight since February 2023.

The court will ultimately determine whether the allegations against her former husband and his relatives are proven beyond the required legal standard.