On Wednesday, the dismemberment case of Hong Kong socialite Abby Choi officially went on trial at the High Court of Hong Kong. The prosecution stated in the opening statement that a financial dispute over the sale of a luxury home between Abby Choi and her ex-husband’s family could have been the trigger for the case. The defendants include her ex-husband Kuang Gangzhi, former father-in-law Kuang Qiu, and former uncle Kuang Gangjie, all of whom have denied the charge of murder.
Abby Choi was murdered in February 2023 at the age of 28. The prosecution alleges that even after divorcing Kuang Gangzhi, she continued to care for their two children together and financially support her ex-husband’s family.
The prosecution claimed that Abby Choi had purchased a luxury home for her two children to live in. To save on taxes, the property was registered in the name of Kuang Qiu, who later moved in with his wife.
In 2022, Abby Choi planned to sell the property to buy a new home to accommodate her ex-husband’s family, but Kuang Qiu objected. The prosecution stated that in July of the same year, there was a conflict between Abby Choi and Kuang Qiu over the sale issue, as they negotiated with each other.
Although Kuang Qiu later signed a document agreeing to let Abby Choi handle the property, their relationship had deteriorated. The prosecution believes that this financial dispute was a significant background for the subsequent events.
The prosecution also alleged that Kuang Qiu later rented a unit in Lung Mei Village in Tai Po and conspired with his two sons to kill Abby Choi. All three defendants denied the charge of murder.
Abby Choi went missing on February 21, 2023. Subsequently, the police found parts of her dismembered body in a village house in Lung Mei Village in Tai Po.
Kuang Gangzhi, Kuang Qiu, and Kuang Gangjie are charged with murder and obstructing the lawful burial of a body. All three denied the charge of murder; Kuang Qiu also denied the charge of obstructing the lawful burial of a body, while Kuang Gangzhi and Kuang Gangjie admitted to the latter charge.
The case is being heard by a jury of 8 men and 1 woman, and the trial is expected to last approximately 40 days.
Originally scheduled to begin earlier this week, the trial was delayed when one member of the original jury withdrew due to health reasons. The judge subsequently disbanded the jury. After selecting a new panel of 9 jurors on Wednesday, the prosecution formally began presenting the case.