Prosecutors say the father‑in‑law and brother‑in‑law of Hong Kong socialite Abby Choi bought an electric saw, meat mincer and refrigerator in the weeks before her 2023 death. They allege Choi was struck with a hammer inside a car while en route to pick up her daughter; parts of her body were later found in a fridge at a rented rural property. Forensic evidence and CCTV have been presented at the trial, but all three accused men plead not guilty and the case is ongoing.
Court Told Suspects Bought Electric Saw, Meat Mincer and Fridge Before Abby Choi’s Alleged Killing
(From back row) Abby Choi's ex-husband Alex Kwong, his father Kwong Kau, and older brother Anthony Kwong stand trial of murdering the Hong Kong socialite at the city's High Court. - CaxtonCax
Prosecutors told a Hong Kong court that, in the days before socialite Abby Choi was killed in 2023, her father‑in‑law and brother‑in‑law purchased tools and appliances prosecutors say were used to carry out and conceal the crime.
Lead Allegations
At Friday’s hearing, Crown prosecutor Charlotte Draycott described how Kwong Kau (the father‑in‑law) and his son Anthony Kwong were seen buying an electric saw, a meat mincer, a refrigerator, boxes, a large chopping board, a giant saucepan and deodorizing supplies roughly two weeks before Choi’s death. Prosecutors say items later recovered at a rural property were linked to the disposal of body parts.
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Alleged Attack
Draycott told jurors that Choi — a model and influencer — was struck repeatedly in the head with a hammer inside a white vehicle driven by Anthony, with her ex‑husband Alex Kwong also in the car. Prosecutors say Choi had been on her way to collect her daughter from school when the attack occurred and that text messages she exchanged with a family member stopped at 2:44pm on Feb. 21, 2023.
Evidence Presented
Jurors were shown CCTV footage and the alleged murder weapon. Prosecutors say CCTV captured Anthony and Alex meeting at a Starbucks shortly before the killing; the footage purportedly shows gestures the prosecution interprets as indicating how to restrain Choi. Forensic evidence presented included Choi’s blood in the vehicle and DNA attributed to Alex and Anthony, and parts of Choi’s body were later recovered inside the refrigerator at a rented village house near Hong Kong’s border with mainland China.
A police van is seen outside a village house where part of Abby Choi's body was found in Hong Kong, on February 27, 2023. - Tyrone Siu/Reuters
"This is why we say this is a cogitated plan," the prosecutor told the court, arguing each accused played a part in preparing the premises.
Arrests and Pleas
Anthony and Kwong Kau were arrested days after the killing; Alex was detained at a ferry pier as he allegedly attempted to leave Hong Kong, the prosecution says. All three men — Alex, Anthony and Kwong Kau — have pleaded not guilty. The trial is ongoing and is expected to last about eight weeks.
Because the case involves active criminal proceedings, the allegations described above reflect the prosecution’s account shown in court. The defendants deny the charges, and the jury will decide the facts after hearing all evidence.
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