Volunteer hikers unite at Po Fook Hill to recover stolen ashes of Lau Kar-leung and other prominent figures

A team of 16 experienced hikers launched a search operation in the Sha Tin on Sunday,  seeking to recover the stolen ashes of the late martial artist and filmmaker Lau Kar-leung and at least two other prominent individuals.

The ashes were reportedly stolen from the Po Fook Hill Cemetery by a suspected international criminal group that has been demanding ransom payments from the families since August. 

The search team, comprising 13 men and 3 women, gathered at Sha Tin's Grand Central Plaza at 9.30am, equipped with water, hiking poles, and other necessary supplies before embarking on their search.

Before the team set off, Lau's  wife, Mary Jean Reimer, expressed gratitude to the volunteers while acknowledging the slim chances of recovery.

"We want to try even if there's just a glimmer of hope," she stated.

Reimer remained persistent in her refusal to pay the ransom, even when the thieves decreased their initial demand from HK$60 million to US$1 million. 

"I will not negotiate with criminals," she emphasized.

The search team reportedly split into two groups to scour the hills around Po Fook Hill and the vicinity of the Ten Thousand Buddhas Monastery (Man Fat Tsz).

Speculating that the ashes might be concealed in plastic bags, searchers focused on identifying such packages, recently disturbed soil, and areas covered with fresh dirt.

However, the search operation concluded around 5 pm without significant discoveries. 

The investigation is ongoing, with sources suggesting that at least three sets of ancestral ashes have been stolen, including those of Lau Kar-leung.

The incident has raised concerns about columbarium security, particularly as Po Fook Hill serves as the final resting place for numerous celebrities, including Roman Tam Pak-sin, Lydia Shum Din-ha, and Leslie Cheung Kwok-wing.