Abby Choi murder: Hong Kong court hears blood in suspect’s car confirmed to be model’s and no more arrests are expected
- Initial DNA examinations conclude bloodstains inside car of Choi’s former brother-in-law Anthony Kwong belong to slain model
- Prosecution confirms four of Choi’s former in-laws and two others only suspects in case, with no more arrests expected
The DNA of murdered Hong Kong model Abby Choi Tin-fung was found inside a bloodstained car owned by her former brother-in-law, a court heard on Monday as it granted a further 12 weeks to police to conduct more investigations.
The six accused linked to the gruesome killing and dismemberment of the 28-year-old influencer returned to Kowloon City Court on Monday when prosecutors explained investigators’ preliminary findings after the start of criminal proceedings in late February.
Choi’s former spouse, Alex Kwong Kong-chi, 28, his father, Kwong Kau, 65, and elder brother Anthony Kwong Kong-kit, 32, are behind bars on a joint murder charge for allegedly killing the model in a Tai Po village house.
Kwong’s mother, Jenny Li Sui-heung, 63, was also denied bail on a count of perverting the course of justice. Two others who were granted temporary release were accused of assisting Kwong’s escape to Macau with intent to impede his apprehension.
The prosecution on Monday confirmed that all suspects connected with the murder had been arrested.
Initial DNA examinations concluded the bloodstains inside the car of Kwong’s brother, as well as the human skull and legs found in the village house, belonged to Choi, the court heard.
A jacket found in the three-storey flat was believed to have been worn by Li, whose DNA was found on it.
Prosecutors applied for a second adjournment as police required extra time to inspect more than 30 items seized from the premises, including electric saws, knives, hammers and kitchenware.
They also revealed that Choi’s mother and her incumbent parents-in-law had recently agreed to help the prosecution in the case.
They expressed concerns, however, that the Kwong family might interfere with the new witnesses by sending them letters or making indirect contact while they were in custody.
Acting principal magistrate Peony Wong Nga-yan said she was not entitled to make any orders regarding that as the four accused were under the prison service’s jurisdiction.
Lawyer Eric So Chi-kit, representing the quartet, said he had reminded his clients of the legal consequences should they decide to take such a risk.
So renewed Li’s bail application, which was dismissed by the magistrate upon hearing the prosecutors’ objection. The accused will appear before the same court for a third pretrial hearing on July 31.
Abby Choi murder: who are the suspects linked to killing of Hong Kong model?
Yacht rental agent Lam Shun, 42, and jobless Irene Pun Hau-yin, 29, who were released on HK$50,000 (US$6,371) bail each, were warned not to contact any prosecution witnesses.
Around 100 spectators were waiting outside the court half an hour before Monday’s sitting, with some complaining about the lack of clear instructions about lining up for entry.
The judiciary arranged for the hearing to be broadcast in the waiting area outside the courtroom.
