Hong Kong Man Denies Murdering Ex-Girlfriend, 23, At Ritz-Carlton Hotel After Gucci Shoeprints Allegedly Matched His

A 24-year-old Hong Kong man has pleaded not guilty to murdering his former girlfriend, whose body was discovered inside a bathtub at a five-star hotel in Tsim Sha Tsui in June 2022.

Alex Lo Chun Ming is accused of killing his then-girlfriend, 23-year-old Aqua Chow, at The Ritz-Carlton Hong Kong between June 29 and June 30, 2022.

The prosecution alleges that the killing was planned rather than an impulsive act. Among the evidence presented in court were bloodstains found inside the hotel room, a knife discovered in the bathtub and shoeprints allegedly matching a pair of Gucci shoes belonging to Lo.

His trial began at Hong Kong’s High Court on November 2, with the defendant maintaining his innocence.

Couple Broke Up Months Before Her Death

The court heard that Lo and Chow began dating in February 2021 and moved in together just two months later.

However, their relationship reportedly became troubled, and the couple eventually separated in February 2022.

Chow subsequently started seeing another man in June 2022.

According to the prosecution, Lo checked into The Ritz-Carlton on June 28, 2022, paying HK$2,000 (approximately S$330) for a room. Prosecutors alleged that this was the same room where Chow’s body was eventually discovered.

The following morning, Lo reportedly extended his hotel stay by another night and purchased a knife from a kitchenware shop.

He also visited several luxury retail outlets, including Delvaux and Hermès.

Ex-Girlfriend Allegedly Lured To Hotel With Luxury Gifts

On June 29, Chow met a friend and was reportedly seen exchanging messages with someone identified as Alex Lo on Telegram.

The messages allegedly included photographs of a brown Delvaux handbag and Hermès scarves.

Chow reportedly told her friend that Lo wanted to give her a handbag and that she intended to ask him for a scarf as well.

At approximately 4:34pm that afternoon, Lo allegedly picked Chow up from her residence and brought her to the Ritz-Carlton hotel.

However, Chow had other travel arrangements that day. She was scheduled to fly to the United States to attend a yoga course and was supposed to have dinner with her boyfriend before heading to the airport.

Her boyfriend reportedly lost contact with her at around 5pm. He subsequently went to the airport, hoping to find her, but Chow never arrived.

Body Discovered Inside Hotel Bathtub

Chow’s mother reported her missing to the police on June 30, 2022.

Investigators subsequently searched Lo’s residence. According to the prosecution, Lo told officers that he did not know where Chow was.

Later that evening, Lo went to a police station accompanied by his lawyer, who handed officers a Ritz-Carlton cardholder and two hotel key cards.

When police entered the hotel room, they allegedly discovered extensive bloodstains on the carpet outside the bathroom, as well as on the pillows, bedding and inside two wardrobes.

Chow was found lying face down in a partially filled bathtub, still wearing her clothes. She had visible cuts on her left arm and back, while a bloodied towel was found covering parts of her body.

A Victorinox knife measuring approximately 22cm was also recovered from the bathtub. Prosecutors alleged that it was the weapon used in the killing.

Forensic Examination Reveals More Than 40 Knife Wounds

A forensic report presented during the trial indicated that Chow had suffered more than 40 knife wounds across her face, neck, torso and limbs.

Forensic experts believed that she had initially been attacked from behind before falling to the ground and curling into a foetal position.

Investigators found no evidence suggesting that she had drowned. Instead, the reported cause of death was severe blood loss resulting from her injuries.

Another piece of evidence highlighted by the prosecution was a set of shoeprints found at the scene.

According to the prosecution, the shoeprints matched a pair of Gucci shoes belonging to Lo.

The prosecution is arguing that the sequence of events, including the hotel booking, knife purchase and forensic findings, supports its allegation that the killing was premeditated.

Lo has pleaded not guilty to murder, and the trial remains ongoing.

The court will continue examining the evidence and circumstances surrounding Chow’s death before reaching a verdict.