The Abby Choi murder trial has placed renewed focus on how a Hong Kong fashion socialite known for luxury, international fashion events and more than 100,000 Instagram followers became the centre of one of the city's most closely watched murder cases.
Choi, a 28-year-old model and mother of four, was reported missing in February 2023. Days later, police found parts of her dismembered body at a village property in Tai Po. Her former husband, Alex Kwong, his brother Anthony Kwong and their father Kwong Kau are now on trial over her killing.
Abby Choi's Glamorous Fashion Life
Before her death, Choi was a prominent figure in Hong Kong's fashion and social circles. CNN correspondent Kristie Lu Stout said Choi's social media accounts showed her 'pursuit of style and luxury in stylish locations around the world.'
One of her last public appearances was at the 2023 Spring/Summer Haute Couture show by Elie Saab, followed by a visit to Paris Fashion Week.
Choi was also a mother of four and an animal welfare advocate. Friends told CNN at her funeral that she was a 'great and kind-hearted friend.' They also said she co-founded a charity focused on rescuing injured cats and dogs.
Choi's Disappearance Became a Murder Investigation
Choi was first reported missing in February 2023. Police later discovered human remains at a home in Lung Mei Village, Tai Po, along with a meat slicer and an electric saw, according to CNN's account of the investigation.
Investigators subsequently found her skull, hair and several ribs in a large stainless steel soup pot. Police said not all of her remains had been recovered, prompting further searches, including at a landfill.
The discovery transformed a missing-person investigation into a murder case that drew international attention.
Three Family Members Face Trial
Choi's former husband, his father and his brother are jointly charged with one count of murder. They also face one count of preventing the lawful burial of a body.
Prosecutors allege Choi was killed on 21 February 2023 at a ground-floor unit in Lung Mei Village. Prosecutors have linked the alleged killing to a property and financial dispute, although that allegation remains for the court to determine. The defendants are presumed innocent unless convicted.
Proceedings in the murder trial began at Hong Kong's High Court on 21 September 2026. The court first dealt with legal issues, with jury selection to follow before the substantive trial. Reporting restrictions were imposed on the pre-jury proceedings.
The court has also imposed an anonymity order preventing the publication of information that could identify Choi's four children.
What Happens in the Abby Choi Trial
The trial is expected to last about 45 days, with a jury ultimately deciding the verdict. Around 100 people attended or gathered to follow the opening proceedings, reflecting the continuing public interest in the case.
If convicted of murder, the defendants face mandatory life imprisonment under Hong Kong law. The proceedings will now examine the evidence and allegations surrounding Choi's death more than three years after the fashion figure disappeared.
The case has remained in the public eye because of the stark contrast between the life Choi presented online and the circumstances surrounding her death. CNN's report placed her fashion appearances, family life and animal welfare work alongside the police investigation, underscoring how quickly her public profile became associated with a criminal case now before Hong Kong's High Court.
