Former mother-in-law of murdered socialite Abby Choi convicted of obstructing justice

The former mother-in-law of murdered socialite Abby Choi Tin-fung was convicted on Tuesday of perverting the course of justice by concealing information about her son, the prime suspect in the case.

The District Court found 65-year-old Jenny Li Sui-heung guilty of obstructing police investigations into Choi’s disappearance between February 22 and 23 in 2023.

Li admitted knowing that her son, Alex Kwong Kong-chi — Choi’s ex-husband — had been wanted since a 2015 theft case involving HK$6.3 million worth of gold and jewellery. Prosecutors said she nevertheless encouraged him to flee.

Evidence also showed she misled investigators with false statements and advised Choi’s mother, Cheung Yin-fa, not to cooperate with police detectives.

In delivering his verdict, Judge Stanley Chan Kwong-chi said Li’s actions appeared to be motivated primarily by a desire to protect her son.

Li was remanded in custody after the conviction and will be sentenced on October 28.

The gruesome murder case, which shocked Hong Kong when Choi’s dismembered remains were discovered in a village house in Tai Po in February 2023, has drawn intense public attention.

Alex Kwong, his elder brother Anthony Kwong Kong-kit and their father Kwong Kau are all awaiting trial on murder charges.