#SHOWBIZ: Abby Choi murder trial begins 3 years after model's tragic death

HONG KONG - The trial of Abby Choi's former husband and in-laws commenced on September 21, 2023, following her shocking murder over three years prior. The High Court heard preliminary legal matters, with jury selection set for later in the week. The prosecution will unveil its opening statement once the jury is selected. Choi's ex-husband Alex Kwong, 31, his father Kwong Kau, 68, and her elder brother Anthony, 35, face charges of murder and obstructing a lawful burial.

Alex Kwong had previously served a three-and-a-half-year sentence in 2024 for unrelated theft and bail jumping.

Senior Counsel Charlotte Draycott leads the prosecution, while the defendants are represented by barristers Andrew Raffell, Oliver Davies, and Trevor Beel. Deputy Judge Brian Keith is overseeing the trial, which may extend until December due to significant public interest. A live broadcast has been arranged outside the courtroom to accommodate the crowds.

Choi, 28, was reported missing in February 2023. Her lifeless body was found in a rented village house in Tai Po, Hong Kong, with her head in a soup pot and her legs inside a freezer. The wealthy socialite and model had a net worth exceeding HK$100 million (approximately RM51.96 million) and was a prominent figure in the fashion industry, frequently appearing at Paris Fashion Week and in top publications like Vogue, Harper's Bazaar, and Elle.

Choi's untimely death is suspected to be linked to a dispute over high-value property. The trial aims to unravel the full circumstances of her murder and the disposal of her remains.