ABBY CHOI MURDER TRIAL BEGINS MORE THAN THREE YEARS AFTER MODEL’S DEATH

The former husband and two relatives of Hong Kong model and socialite Abby Choi have gone on trial more than three years after her death shocked the city and attracted worldwide attention.

Alex Kwong, Choi’s former husband, appeared in Hong Kong’s High Court on September 21 alongside his father, Kwong Kau, and his brother, Anthony Kwong.

The three men are jointly accused of murdering Choi in February 2023. They also face a separate charge of preventing the lawful burial of a body.

If convicted of murder, the defendants could face life imprisonment. All three are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.

Trial begins after years of investigation

The case dates back to February 21, 2023, when 28-year-old Choi was reported missing.

She was a well-known figure in Hong Kong’s fashion and social scene, regularly appearing at photo shoots, fashion events and on social media. Just days before her disappearance, she had attended Paris Fashion Week and shared images from the event online.

Police later discovered human remains at a village house in Lung Mei, Tai Po, a suburban area of Hong Kong.

The discovery triggered a major investigation and searches for additional evidence, including operations at a nearby landfill. The case quickly became one of Hong Kong’s most closely followed criminal investigations.

Three family members face murder charge

The defendants are Choi’s former husband, Alex Kwong Kong-chi, her former father-in-law Kwong Kau, and her former brother-in-law Anthony Kwong Kong-kit.

Court records show that they are jointly charged with one count of murder and one count of preventing the lawful burial of a body. The charges relate to the events surrounding Choi’s death in February 2023.

The prosecution alleges that the killing took place at a ground-floor unit in Lung Mei Village.

The case has attracted significant public interest, with people gathering outside the High Court as proceedings began. Authorities also arranged additional viewing facilities because of the level of interest in the case.

Court imposes restrictions as proceedings begin

The High Court is hearing the case in English before Deputy High Court Judge Brian Keith.

On the opening day, the court dealt with preliminary legal matters before the substantive trial proceeds. Jury selection is expected to take place before prosecutors formally open their case.

The court has also imposed reporting restrictions intended to protect the fairness of the proceedings. A separate anonymity order prevents the publication of information that could identify Choi’s four children.

The defendants appeared in court wearing masks. Kwong Kau wore a white T-shirt, while his two sons appeared in suits. They appeared calm as they listened to proceedings through interpretation headsets.

A high-profile life cut short

Choi was a mother of four and had built a significant public profile through her work in fashion and social media.

She had two children with Alex Kwong before their divorce. She later remarried and had two more children with her second husband.

Her death generated widespread attention in Hong Kong and internationally, in part because of the circumstances surrounding the discovery of her remains and the rarity of such violent crime in the city.

The investigation also focused on the family’s relationships and alleged financial disputes, matters that are now expected to be examined in detail as evidence is presented in court.

Trial expected to last 45 days

The jury trial is expected to last approximately 45 days, making it one of the longest-running criminal proceedings to attract such intense public attention in Hong Kong in recent years.

Prosecutors are expected to present evidence concerning the events surrounding Choi’s disappearance and death, while the defense teams will have an opportunity to challenge the prosecution’s case.

For now, the court must determine whether the allegations against Alex Kwong, Kwong Kau and Anthony Kwong can be proven beyond the required legal standard.

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