Abby Choi murder trial: prosecutors say money feud was 'root cause' of killing

At Hong Kong's High Court, prosecutor Charlotte Draycott told the jury that money was at the center of the case. 'Money seems to be the root cause of this case,' she said. The three defendants — Abby Choi's ex-husband Alex Kwong Kong-chi, 31, his brother Anthony, 35, and their father, former police sergeant Kwong Kau, 68 — all deny murder.

The dispute centered on a £7 million luxury apartment in Ho Man Tin that Choi purchased but registered in Kwong Kau's name for tax reasons, according to South China Morning Post. Tensions escalated when Choi decided to sell the property while offering to buy the family alternative housing. Choi's mother testified that Kwong Kau threatened her daughter, saying: 'If you sell the flat, I will kill you.'

Prosecutors allege Kwong Kau masterminded the plot because he believed that if Choi died, the £7 million home would remain legally his. The court heard that Choi was lured to a rented village house in Tai Po, where a butchery chamber had been prepared. When police raided the property, they found an electric saw, meat grinders, choppers and hammers.

Choi's legs were discovered in a fridge, while her skull was found boiled in a stainless steel stewpot along with carrots and vegetables, news.com.au reported. Police Superintendent Alan Chung previously said the suspects covered the walls with a sail and wore face shields and raincoats to avoid bloodstains while dismembering the body.

Legal expert Prof Simon NM Young told news.com.au that the killing was highly unusual for Hong Kong. He noted that financial and cross-border crimes like money laundering and fraud are more common, and that murders in the city typically arise from domestic distress, mental disturbances or gang violence. Religious and cultural values promote peace and lawfulness, he added.

The two brothers have admitted to preventing a lawful burial, while their father denies that charge as well. The trial continues.