Money the ‘root cause’ behind Hong Kong socialite Abby Choi’s murder, prosecutors say

By Chris Lau, CNN

Hong Kong (CNN) — A family dispute over money was the “root cause” that motivated the killing and dismemberment of Hong Kong socialite Abby Choi, prosecutors told a court Wednesday, as the trial of her ex-husband and in-laws accused of murdering her began.

The gruesome 2023 murder of Choi, who rubbed shoulders with showbiz elites at fashion events and had a significant following online, sent shockwaves through the wealthy financial hub and made global headlines.

Police at the time revealed only parts of Choi’s body had been located, deepening the intense media reporting – and social media speculation – over why the life of a popular socialite had been cut short so violently.

Her ex-husband Alex Kwong, his brother Anothy Kwong and their father Kwong Kau are on trial for her killing. All three officially pleaded not guilty to her murder on Wednesday.

In her opening speech, prosecutor Charlotte Draycott highlighted the significant difference in wealth between Choi and her former in-laws, describing how arguments over finances and her plans to sell a luxury apartment set in motion what became a family plot to murder her.

“Money seems to be to root cause of this case,” Draycott told the jury of eight men and one woman.

Choi was no longer married to Alex Kwong by the time of her murder and her new partner hailed from an “extremely wealthy” family.

But Choi remained in contact with the Kwong family, who Dracott said “were not rich people,” and helped financially support them.

After separating with her ex-husband, Draycott said, Choi continued to provide “generous allowance” to the Kwongs, including a HK$60 million ($7.6 million) apartment under Kwong Kau’s name, in part because they helped take care of her two children with Alex Kwong.

The once cordial relationship with Kwong Kau, a retired police sergeant, turned soar in 2022 when she tried to sell the luxuriously renovated apartment, and move her in-laws to an area further away from downtown where her children could go to school, according to Draycott.

Tensions spiraled in the months leading up to her murder. Kwong Kau came to disown Choi and allegedly tried to assault her on one occasion, Draycott said.

Choi was also angry, describing her ex-father-in-law as a “crook” and “ungrateful” as she grew increasingly worried that the Kwongs would turn her children against her.

Draycott said Kwong Kau eventually plotted to murder Choi.

“If she died, the flat would be in his name and he could move back there,” Draycott said.

“He made a plan with his two sons Alex, her ex-husband, and Anthony, and we say three of them decided they would do it together,” she told the jurors. “Each of them played a part by bringing her death and burying her body.”

Police previously said Choi – a mother of four, including two children with her ex-husband Alex Kwong – went missing on February 21, 2023.

Three days later, body parts believed to be hers were recovered at a house in the city’s Tai Po district, where police also found a meat slicer, an electric saw, and some clothing.

The Kwongs were arrested soon after.

On Wednesday, the jury also heard Choi was born on the southern Chinese island of Hainan and moved to Hong Kong at the age of five.

She met Alex Kwong when she was still in school and the pair got married in 2014.

During her marriage, Alex Kwong never had a job and depended on Choi’s family to support them, Draycott said.

The trial continues Friday and is expected to last at least eight weeks.

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