Tragic Discovery: Woman’s Body Found in Auckland Suburb as Police Arrest Man for Brutal Killing of Couple

Accident – Death – Obituary News : Auckland Police Endure Hectic Week in Search for Murder Suspects and Missing Woman

Auckland police have had a tumultuous week as they tirelessly search for those responsible for the brutal killing of a man in his Ellerslie home, while also hunting for any signs of his missing wife. The intense search efforts came to a tragic end on Friday morning, with the discovery of a woman’s body in the North Shore suburb of Greenhithe.

The man, identified as Fuk-Fu Joseph Kwok, 66, was found dead at his home on Celtic Crescent in Ellerslie on Monday, November 6. Police responded to reports of an “unresponsive” man at the address and arrived to find Kwok deceased. The following day, police classified his death as unexplained and launched an investigation.

Detective Inspector Scott Beard made a public appeal for sightings of the couple’s blue Kia Rio, which was last seen at the property. Kwok’s wife, 67-year-old Mei Han Chong, was also reported missing. Police initially kept an open mind regarding Chong and did not rule her out as a suspect in her husband’s killing. They also pursued the possibility that she had left the country.

On Wednesday, a homicide investigation was officially launched into Kwok’s death after a post-mortem examination revealed that his injuries were “violent and consistent with foul play.” It was determined that Kwok had died before Sunday. Beard renewed his plea to the public for information on Chong’s whereabouts and the location of the couple’s car.

The following day, Kwok was formally identified as the homicide victim. Police released the first photo of Chong, expressing “grave concerns for her safety and wellbeing” and believing that she, like her husband, had fallen victim to foul play. Investigations revealed that Chong did not drive, suggesting that someone had taken her and the couple’s Kia against her will.

Chong’s son, who spoke to the police, described his devastation over his father’s death and his extreme worry about his missing mother. Beard emphasized the importance of finding answers for the grieving family, stating, “This family needs our help. A man is dead and a woman is missing, and we need answers.”

The investigation took a significant turn on Friday when Chong’s body was discovered in Greenhithe, in north-west Auckland. Detective Inspector Beard expressed the police’s devastation at the discovery and their commitment to providing support to Chong’s son, who has now lost both of his parents. Additionally, the police located the couple’s Kia Rio, with different number plates, outside an unrelated address in Glenfield.

A 42-year-old man was subsequently arrested in Hamilton and charged with two counts of murder. However, the police have not ruled out the possibility of further charges. The investigation team identified activity near the Celtic Crescent address on the night of the alleged homicide, leading them to scour hours’ worth of CCTV footage to locate a vehicle of interest.

A scene guard remains at Kwok and Chong’s property in Ellerslie, where a “complex” scene investigation is expected to continue into the weekend. While the matter is before the courts, the police are unable to provide further comments or details.

The local community mourns the loss of Kwok, who worked as a registered nurse at North Shore Hospital. Te Whatu Ora released a statement expressing their sorrow and acknowledging Kwok’s exceptional service. They also extended their condolences to both Kwok and Chong’s families during this difficult time.

The accused, a 42-year-old North Shore man, has been granted interim name suppression by Judge Andrea Manuel. His lawyer, Michael Kan, informed the court that his client’s elderly mother and family were unaware of the charges and that the news would come as a shock to them. The accused has been remanded in custody and is expected to appear at the High Court in November..