Slain Hong Kong model Abby Choi ‘took advantage’ of rich husband, court hears

The former mother-in-law of slain Hong Kong socialite Abby Choi Tin-fung feared the model’s disappearance two years ago would expose how the deceased had financially exploited her wealthy husband, a court has heard.

Jenny Li Sui-heung, 65, told the District Court on Monday that she thought it was “shameful” to talk to police about the “chaotic” relationship between Choi, her husband Chris Tam and ex-husband Alex Kwong Kong-chi after the model went missing on February 21, 2023.

The defendant, who has pleaded not guilty to perverting the course of justice, denied trying to mislead officers by feigning ignorance about her son while knowing he was wanted in connection with a 2015 theft case involving HK$6.3 million (US$803,200) in gold and jewellery.

Li maintained that she evaded officers’ inquiries because she felt their questions about Choi’s family situation were “redundant”.

The defendant said she also feared she would unwittingly divulge how Choi and Kwong purportedly took advantage of Tam for personal gain.

She said in an earlier court session that the pair would take Tam to casinos and asked for “commissions” in return and alleged that Choi exaggerated her husband’s medical expenses when seeking reimbursement from his father, who is the founder of the popular restaurant chain TamJai Yunnan Mixian.

“I had a skeleton in the closet. It was shame on my family,” Li said. “I didn’t like how Alex and my former in-law acted, but I didn’t consider it something I should feel guilty about.”