Ex-husband and brother-in-law plead guilty to disposing of slain Hong Kong model's body
The former husband and brother-in-law of murdered Hong Kong socialite Abby Choi have admitted to illegally disposing of her dismembered body, but continue to deny murder charges. Their guilty pleas were revealed as a nine-member jury was empanelled for a trial expected to last about eight weeks. The pair will stand trial alongside their father on murder allegations related to Choi's death in February 2023.
The guilty pleas were entered on charges of preventing lawful burial, covering acts alleged to have occurred between February 21 and 23, 2023. The trial, set to begin Monday, will examine claims that the three defendants conspired to murder Choi and dismember her remains at a Tai Po village house. A jury of seven men and two women has been seated for proceedings expected to span roughly eight weeks in Hong Kong's High Court.
Choi, a 28-year-old influencer and socialite, was killed in February 2023, with her dismembered body discovered in what became a widely followed case. The two brothers admitted to the disposal charges while continuing to deny the more serious murder allegations, which they will contest alongside their father when prosecutors present their opening arguments.
This case could shape public perceptions of how Hong Kong's courts handle high-profile violent crimes involving family members. The lengthy trial may draw sustained media attention, potentially influencing discussions around domestic violence protections and the legal system's capacity to manage complex multi-defendant proceedings. The outcome could affect confidence in judicial processes, particularly regarding how evidence of conspiracy and post-offense conduct is weighed, though the verdict will ultimately rest on the jury's assessment of the specific facts presented.