Influencer linked to model's murder released on bail

A 29-year-old woman nabbed by mainland law enforcers was released on HK$50,000 bail yesterday after appearing in court for allegedly assisting a murder suspect's attempted escape following the brutal killing of model Abby Choi Tin-fung.

Irene Pun Hau-yin was escorted to the Kowloon City Magistrate's court handcuffed after being handed over to Hong Kong police officers at Shenzhen Bay Port on Tuesday.

Pun was charged with assisting Choi's ex-husband, 28-year-old Alex Kwong Kong-chi, with intent to obstruct his arrest or prosecution, as he attempted to escape on February 24 by arranging a speedboat for him. No plea was taken.

Pun was granted a HK$50,000 cash bail by acting principal magistrate Peony Wong Nga-yan and banned from leaving Hong Kong. She was also required to surrender her travel documents and report to police twice a week.

Wong adjourned the case to May 8.

Pun, an influencer and food blogger, has over 35,000 followers on Instagram. According to her social media posts, she visited Seoul two weeks ago and last posted photos on February 27.

One of Pun's friends posted online, writing: "I've known her for many years she is just too kind."

It is understood that Pun is close to yacht company employee Lam Shun, who allegedly arranged a speedboat for Kwong in a failed attempt to flee to Macau on February 24, as photos of the two were found on her Instagram.

Lam, 41, was charged with assisting an offender with intent to impede his apprehension or prosecution. He was granted a HK$50,000 cash bail.

Alex Kwong, 28, his father Kwong Kau, 65, and brother Anthony Kwong Kong-kit, 31, were charged with murdering Choi in a Lung Mei village house in Tai Po on February 21. Kwong's mother Jenny Li Sui-heung, 63, was charged with perverting the course of justice by allegedly destroying evidence on February 23.

The four were remanded in custody until their next court appearance on May 8.

Kwong Kau's mistress, Ng, 47, was also arrested for allegedly helping to rent the Tai Po village house and a flat in Tsim Sha Tsui to harbor Alex Kwong. She was released on bail pending investigation.

wallis.wang@singtaonewscorp.com