A Hong Kong court has heard disturbing details surrounding the alleged killing and dismemberment of model and social media personality Abby Choi, whose former husband and two members of his family are standing trial for murder.

According to The Independent, prosecutors told the Hong Kong High Court that Choi’s skull was allegedly discovered inside a cooking pot containing carrots and other vegetables at a rented property in Tai Po, where investigators had earlier found equipment believed to have been used to dismember a body.

Choi, 28, was reported missing on February 21, 2023. Parts of her remains were subsequently found at the property, which prosecutors allege had been prepared as a site for dismembering her body. A meat slicer, electric saw and clothing were also reportedly recovered.

The prosecution has alleged that a dispute over a luxury apartment worth about HK$72 million became the alleged motive behind the killing. Prosecutor Charlotte Draycott SC told jurors that Choi had bought the property in 2019 and registered it in the name of her former father-in-law, Kwong Kau, to reduce the stamp duty burden.

Prosecutors allege that tensions escalated after Choi sought to sell the apartment and later evicted Kwong Kau. They claim he subsequently involved his sons, Alex Kwong and Anthony Kwong, in a plan to kill her and retain control of the property.

All three defendants pleaded not guilty to murder when proceedings began at the High Court. The prosecution alleges that the men acted together in carrying out the alleged plan, with different roles including arranging a property and transporting Choi.

The court also heard private audio messages Choi had sent to her mother in which she expressed frustration over her former in-laws and questioned their treatment of her despite the financial support she had continued to provide after divorcing Alex Kwong.

Choi, who came from a wealthy family, had two children with Alex Kwong and two more with her second partner, Chris Tam. She was known for her modelling work, fashion appearances and social media presence, and had attended Paris Fashion Week shortly before her death.

The trial is expected to continue for about eight weeks, with prosecutors continuing to present evidence against the three defendants.