HKU professor arrested over wife’s murder

A member of the University of Hong Kong Council was arrested Tuesday on suspicion of killing his wife, according to Hong Kong police.

Law Kwok-hoi, superintendent of Hong Kong Island Regional Police Headquarters, said that Cheung Kie-chung, an associate professor in the Department of Mechanical Engineering at HKU and a member of the university’s governing council, was arrested after a suitcase containing the body of his wife was found in his university office on Tuesday afternoon. The suitcase had been placed inside a wooden box.

The decomposed body was clad in undergarments and electrical wires had been wrapped around the victim’s neck, Law said. The specific time of death hadn’t been confirmed.

Law said that Cheung reported to the police on Aug 20 that his wife had left home after a family dispute and was missing. The couple lives in Wei Lun Hall, one of the residential halls of HKU, with their son and daughter. Cheung is also the warden of the hall.

Police grew suspicious of Cheung after CCTV footage of the hall had not shown his wife leaving the building, but did show Cheung moving a wooden box, Law said. After a brief investigation, they raided Cheung’s office and arrested him on Tuesday afternoon.

According to the ongoing investigation, the suspect has no financial problems and there is no domestic violence recorded in the family, Law said.

An HKU spokesperson said the university will provide necessary assistance for investigations.