Abby Choi murder trial opens in Hong Kong against ex-husband and in-laws
Trial begins for Abby Choi's ex-husband and in-laws, accused of her 2023 murder and preventing lawful burial; all three could face life in prison.
A Hong Kong court on Monday began hearing the murder trial of the former husband and in-laws of socialite Abby Choi, more than three years after the discovery of parts of her dismembered body at a village house in the city's Tai Po district.
Choi's ex-husband Alex Kwong, his father Kwong Kau and his brother Anthony Kwong are accused of killing her in February 2023. If convicted of murder, each faces life imprisonment. The three also face a charge of preventing the lawful burial of a body.
All three defendants appeared in court wearing masks and remained calm, according to proceedings. Kwong Kau wore a white T-shirt, while his two sons were dressed in suits.
The case drew intense public attention in the Asian financial hub, where violent crime is rare. Dozens of people queued outside the courtroom before the hearing began, and authorities arranged a live broadcast for those unable to get inside.
Choi, 28, was a well-known socialite who documented a glamorous life of photo shoots and fashion shows on Instagram. Days before her death, she had posted about attending a Dior show during Paris Fashion Week.
Police said in 2023 that they had found some body parts inside a unit in Tai Po, a suburban area of Hong Kong. Officers later searched a landfill as part of the investigation.
Choi had two children with Alex Kwong. After their divorce, she remarried and had two younger children with her second husband.
The prosecution is expected to present its case at a later date. The jury trial is scheduled to run for about 45 days.