HONG KONG | The murder trial of socialite and model Abby Choi’s former husband and two of his family members began Monday, more than three years after her killing shocked Hong Kong and drew international attention. Alex Kwong, his father Kwong Kau and his brother Anthony Kwong are jointly accused of murdering Choi and face life imprisonment if convicted. They are also charged with preventing the lawful burial of a body.
Choi, 28, was reported missing on February 21, 2023. Three days later, police discovered parts of her dismembered remains at a village house in Lung Mei, Tai Po. Investigators subsequently searched a nearby landfill for further evidence. The case attracted extraordinary public attention in Hong Kong, where violent crime is relatively rare.
Prosecutors are expected to present their opening case after jury selection and preliminary proceedings. The jury trial is expected to last about 45 days, according to court and Hong Kong media reports. A live broadcast has also been arranged outside the courtroom because of the high public interest in the proceedings.
The three defendants appeared in court wearing masks and remained calm during the opening proceedings. Choi’s former mother-in-law, Jenny Li Sui-heung, is not among those facing the murder trial. She was convicted in 2025 of perverting the course of justice after a separate trial found that she had urged her son to abscond and had attempted to obstruct the investigation.
Choi had two children with Alex Kwong before their divorce and later remarried, having two more children with her second husband. She was known publicly for her fashion appearances, social media presence and attendance at international events, including Paris Fashion Week.
The investigation began after Choi’s disappearance in February 2023. Police eventually arrested several people in connection with the case, including the three men now on trial. Authorities said at the time that financial disputes involving millions of Hong Kong dollars between Choi and her former husband’s family were being examined as a possible motive. The defendants remain accused, and the murder charges have not been proven in court.
The case has remained one of Hong Kong’s most closely watched criminal proceedings since 2023, in part because of the rarity of such violent crimes in the city. The current trial is expected to bring further evidence and testimony before a jury as prosecutors seek to establish the circumstances surrounding Choi’s death.
Paraluman P. Funtanilla
Paraluman P. Funtanilla is Tutubi News Magazine's Marketing Specialist and is a Contributing Editor. She finished her degree in Communication Arts in De La Salle Lipa. She has worked as a Digital Marketer for start-up businesses and small business spaces for the past two years. She has earned certificates from Coursera on Brand Management: Aligning Business Brand and Behavior and Viral Marketing and How to Craft Contagious Content. She also worked with Asia Express Romania TV Show.
- Paraluman P. Funtanilla
- Paraluman P. Funtanilla
- Paraluman P. Funtanilla
- Paraluman P. Funtanilla
