Family twist in chainsaw murder
The Standard
The husband Leung, far left, at a parking lot after identifying the body of Lau Hung-lee, inset. Above: the chainsaw used in the grisly crime is photographed. SING TAOThe suspect, in his 40s, is one of four children of victim Lau Hung-lee's husband and his ex-wife. He reportedly did not have a good relationship with Lau.
Lau was found lying in blood on the sidewalk of Kam Pok Road East in Yuen Long on Saturday night. She had been disfigured and was declared dead at the scene.
Lau's husband Leung has two sons and two daughters with his ex-wife, including the suspect, who is a construction worker living in Yuen Long, sources said.
Leung married Lau in 1990 when the stepson was about 10 years old. The couple also have a son and a daughter.
All their children, who are grown up, have moved out, sources said. The couple lived at a Man Yuen Chuen village house with a helper and rented out warehouses and subdivided units.
It is believed the stepson held a grudge against Lau over the past 30 years and the two would fight over family issues.
Sources said the stepson planned the killing in advance as he bought a plane ticket before the attack and flew to Europe from Hong Kong airport immediately on Saturday night.
The chainsaw used in the crime is said to be from his workplace. He was aware of Lau's routine and attacked her when she was out for a walk at night, sources added.
Leung refused to answer reporters' questions on the identity of the suspect yesterday.
Acting superintendent Tai Yuk-lun of the Yuen Long district crime unit said Lau suffered from cuts on her neck and on her wrists and stab wounds to her chest and abdomen.
"We believe the wounds on Lau's neck were fatal," said Tai. "It's also possible that she died because of the stab wounds on her chest and abdomen." Officers were awaiting the results of an autopsy.
Lau, a housewife, left home at about 7pm on Saturday for a stroll and was attacked by a figure in a black shirt, Tai said. The suspect fled toward Castle Peak Road in the Tam Mei section.
Officers found a 45-centimeter chainsaw, a 30cm knife and a pair of sun protection sleeves in the grass 30 meters from Lau's body. All had bloodstains.
Tai did not reveal the relationship between Lau and the suspect and only said they had a personal grudge. Police are investigating the motive and whether someone encouraged the suspect or assisted him to flee Hong Kong.
A tenant of Lau and Leung, surnamed Ngai, said the couple were helpful and would not chase tenants for rent. They also had a good relationship as they always went out for a stroll together, he added.
Ngai said he once met Lau's son - a man in his 20s studying in Japan - but he had never seen a man in his 40s visiting the couple.
Ngai also said he chatted with Lau on Saturday night but did not expect she would be killed right after that. "I couldn't even think about it. How can a person kill his own relative?" he said.
Leung and some relatives went to the Fu Shan Public Mortuary in Tai Wai yesterday to identify Lau's body.
