When a terrified 14-year-old girl walked into a Hong Kong police station in May 1999 claiming she was haunted by a vengeful ghost, officers initially dismissed her story as teenage fantasy. They had no idea that her nightmares would lead them to one of the most disturbing crime scenes in modern Asian history—where the skull of a tortured woman had been sewn inside a cheerful Hello Kitty mermaid doll.
The Hello Kitty murder case remains one of the most shocking true crime stories to emerge from Hong Kong, not just for its extreme brutality, but for the mysterious spiritual elements that surrounded its discovery and prosecution. This is the complete story of how supernatural terror became the key to solving a case that shocked the world.
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What Is the Hello Kitty Murder Case?
The Hello Kitty murder case, also known as the Tsim Sha Tsui murder, refers to the abduction, prolonged torture, and death of 23-year-old Fan Man-yee in Hong Kong during March and April 1999. The case earned its infamous name when police discovered Fan’s skull had been sewn into a large Hello Kitty mermaid plush doll—a grotesque contrast between childhood innocence and unimaginable horror.
What makes this case particularly haunting is how it was solved: a 14-year-old girl approached police claiming she was being haunted by Fan’s ghost, which eventually led investigators to the apartment where the crime occurred. Three men connected to the Wo Shing Wo triad gang were arrested, along with the teenage girl who had participated in some of the abuse.
The crime occurred in an apartment bizarrely decorated with Hello Kitty memorabilia—curtains, bedsheets, kitchenware, and dolls—creating an unsettling juxtaposition that would capture public imagination and cement the case in Hong Kong’s true crime history.
Who Was Fan Man-yee? The Victim’s Tragic Life Story
Fan Man-yee’s Early Life
Born in 1976 in Shenzhen, China, Fan Man-yee’s life was marked by tragedy from the beginning. Abandoned by her family as a young child, she was raised in Ma Tau Wai Girls’ Home, an orphanage in Hong Kong. At age 15, she was forced to leave due to age restrictions, suddenly finding herself homeless with nowhere to turn.
Without family support or resources, Fan became trapped in a cycle of drug addiction and street prostitution. By age 21, she was working as a hostess and prostitute at the Romance Villa brothel in Sham Shui Po, struggling to survive in Hong Kong’s underground world.
Her Debt Dispute With Chan Man-lok
In 1996, Fan married Ng Chi-yuen, a fellow drug addict and former client. The marriage was violent—neighbors frequently reported hearing fights and their child’s cries. When Fan became pregnant in late 1998, she made a courageous decision to change her life. She quit drugs and prostitution, separated from her abusive husband, and took a job as a hostess at the Empress Karaoke Nightclub in Tsim Sha Tsui.
It was at this nightclub that Fan’s path crossed with Chan Man-lok, a 33-year-old triad member and pimp. In late 1997 or early 1999, struggling financially, Fan stole HK$4,000 (approximately US$500) from Chan’s wallet. Though she repaid the amount immediately, Chan demanded an additional “handling fee” ranging from HK$10,000 to HK$30,000 (about US$1,280–$3,850)—money Fan couldn’t possibly pay.
What began as a debt dispute would spiral into a month of methamphetamine-fueled torture that defied human comprehension.
Who Were the Killers in the Hello Kitty Murder Case?
The perpetrators consisted of three men and one teenage girl:
Chan Man-lok (age 33): A mid-level member of the Wo Shing Wo triad gang, Chan had a 1991 conviction for drug trafficking. He rented the third-floor apartment at No. 31 Granville Road, Tsim Sha Tsui—the location where the torture occurred. At the time, he had a wife and a newborn daughter living separately.
Leung Shing-cho (age 27): Known as “Gangsta 2,” he was one of Chan’s henchmen and triad associate who participated in the abduction and torture.
Leung Wai-lun (age 21): Called “Gangsta 1,” another henchman who fled to mainland China after Fan’s death but was later extradited back to Hong Kong for trial.
Lau Ming-fong “Ah Fong” (age 14): Chan’s grooming victim and girlfriend who had run away from home at age 13. She was also in a relationship with Leung Shing-cho and participated in some of the abuse. Critically, she would later confess to authorities, driven by guilt and what she described as relentless haunting by Fan’s ghost.
Inside the Tsim Sha Tsui Apartment of Horror
The apartment at No. 31 Granville Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, presented an eerie contradiction. Every surface was decorated with Hello Kitty items—the popular Japanese cartoon character known for its cheerful innocence. Hello Kitty curtains hung on the windows, Hello Kitty sheets covered the bed, and Hello Kitty dolls sat on shelves throughout the space.
Behind this facade of childlike whimsy, unspeakable horrors unfolded. The apartment served as Chan’s base for drug dealing and prostitution operations. When Fan was brought there on March 17, 1999, she became a prisoner in what would become her torture chamber for the next month.
The contrast between the innocent decor and the brutal violence that occurred there created a psychological dissonance that haunted investigators and fascinated the public. This juxtaposition would become central to the case’s enduring notoriety.
Timeline of the Hello Kitty Murder Case
Early 1997: Fan meets Chan Man-lok at the Empress Karaoke Nightclub where she works as a hostess.
Late 1997/Early 1999: Fan steals HK$4,000 from Chan’s wallet. Though she repays it, Chan demands additional interest she cannot afford.
March 17, 1999: Chan, both Leungs, and Ah Fong kidnap Fan from her apartment in Lai Yiu Estate, Kwai Chung. They transport her to the Granville Road apartment where torture begins immediately.
March 17 – April 14, 1999: Over approximately one month, Fan endures extreme torture while her captors remain high on methamphetamine. The abuse escalates daily.
April 14-15, 1999: Fan dies, likely from a combination of traumatic shock, severe injuries, and possibly a methamphetamine overdose. Her body is discovered by her captors.
Mid-April – May 1999: The perpetrators dismember Fan’s body in the bathtub. They boil body parts on the stove to prevent odors, then dispose of them with household trash across various Hong Kong districts. Her skull is boiled separately and sewn into the Hello Kitty mermaid doll.
May 24, 1999: Suffering from nightmares and claiming to be haunted by Fan’s ghost, Ah Fong confesses to police with help from a social worker.
May 28, 1999: Police raid the apartment and discover the Hello Kitty doll containing Fan’s skull, along with other remains.
June 3, 1999: Fan’s skull is positively identified through photo superimposition at Lockhart Mortuary.
June 1999 – February 2000: Chan and Leung Shing-cho are arrested immediately. Leung Wai-lun flees to Guangxi, China, but is captured on February 14, 2000, and extradited back to Hong Kong on February 17.
How Did Fan Man-yee Die? Cause of Death Explained
Methamphetamine and Sadistic Abuse
The torture Fan endured during her month-long captivity was methodical and sadistic. Court testimonies revealed horrifying details:
- She was bound with electrical wire and beaten with metal pipes, kitchen utensils, and fists
- Chan kicked her in the head approximately 50 times
- Her feet and legs were burned with candle wax, hot melted plastic, and irons until she couldn’t walk
- Chili spices were rubbed into her wounds
- She was forced to eat human feces and drink urine
- The perpetrators raped her repeatedly
- She was strung up by her hands and used as a “punching bag”
- She was compelled to smile and claim she enjoyed the beatings to avoid worse punishment
When asked why they inflicted such torture, Ah Fong testified that it was done “for fun.” The abuse was fueled by methamphetamine use, which likely contributed to the escalating violence and sadism.
Torture Methods Used in the Crime
Fan died sometime between April 14-15, 1999. The exact cause of death could never be definitively determined because so little of her remains were recovered. Forensic experts theorized she died from a combination of traumatic shock, severe physical injuries, starvation, and possibly methamphetamine overdose.
The defense would later argue that Fan died from a self-administered drug overdose rather than from intentional killing. However, prosecutors maintained that the torture directly caused her death through traumatic shock—a claim supported by the extensive injuries documented in her recovered remains.
Discovery of the Hello Kitty Doll Skull
Role of the 14-Year-Old Girl Ah Fong
Following the ordeal, Ah Fong started having nightmares of Fan’s headless ghost every night at a girls’ reform school, which led her to a state of nervous breakdown. The nightmares were vivid and terrifying—she claimed to see Fan bound by electrical wire, exactly as she had been during her torture.
Ah Fong became convinced that Fan’s restless spirit was haunting her, and she felt the only way she could free herself from Fan’s ghost was to confess to the police. With assistance from a social worker at the reform school, the frightened teenager made her way to Tsim Sha Tsui police station on May 24, 1999.
Confession That Solved the Case
When Ah Fong first approached officers, claiming to be haunted by a ghost, police were skeptical. Teenage ghost stories weren’t typically taken seriously. But when she explained that the ghost belonged to a woman she had helped torture and murder, officers’ interest was immediately piqued.
Ah Fong led three police officers—Chiu Ka-hsue, Sin Tim-wah, and Andrew Yip Yan-ling from the Yau Ma Tei Police Division—to the Granville Road apartment on May 28, 1999. What they found inside exceeded their worst expectations.
Dismemberment and Disposal of the Body
After Fan’s death, her captors moved her body to the bathtub. They decapitated her with a saw and systematically dismembered the corpse. In a particularly disturbing detail, they boiled body parts on the kitchen stove—reportedly using the same pots and utensils they used to prepare their own meals.
Most of the boiled remains were disposed of as household garbage, scattered across dumps in Sham Shui Po, Wan Chai, and Tai Kok Tsui. Some body parts were allegedly fed to stray dogs.
Skull Sewn Inside Hello Kitty Doll
Fan’s skull received special treatment. After boiling it separately, the perpetrators sewed it inside a large Hello Kitty mermaid plush doll, stuffing the remaining space with dead insects. One tooth and several internal organs were stored in a plastic bag, kept as macabre “trophies.”
When police discovered the doll during their raid, they initially didn’t realize what they were looking at. Only upon closer inspection did they find the human skull hidden inside the cheerful toy—a discovery that would haunt the investigating officers for years to come.
Police Investigation and Forensic Evidence
The investigation was led by the Yau Ma Tei Police Division and relied heavily on Ah Fong’s testimony. Physical evidence was limited due to the extensive dismemberment and disposal of Fan’s body.
Police recovered only the skull, one tooth, and some internal organs initially. Additional searches of trash sites across Hong Kong yielded scattered bone fragments, but the majority of Fan’s remains were never found.
On June 3, 1999, forensic experts at Lockhart Mortuary positively identified the skull as belonging to Fan Man-yee using a photo superimposition method—comparing the skull to photographs of Fan when she was alive.
The apartment’s Hello Kitty decor added another layer of horror to the investigation. Officers struggled to reconcile the cheerful, innocent imagery with the evidence of extreme brutality. The psychological impact on investigating officers was significant, with several reporting difficulty sleeping after processing the crime scene.
Psychiatric evaluations of the accused men found them remorseless. Experts concluded the crime was sadistic in nature rather than purely motivated by debt collection—the torture had become an end in itself.
Hello Kitty Murder Trial and Verdict
Courtroom Testimony and Evidence
The trial took place in Hong Kong’s High Court from October 20 to December 7, 2000, presided over by Justice Peter Nguyen. The jury consisted of eight men and one woman, and the proceedings lasted six weeks.
Ah Fong, granted complete immunity in exchange for her cooperation, provided the most critical testimony. Over several days, she detailed the daily methamphetamine-fueled torture sessions, her own participation, and the disposal of Fan’s body. She testified that she confessed to police because she could no longer endure the haunting by Fan’s ghost.
Other witnesses included Chan’s wife Tse Pui-ling, Fan’s estranged husband Ng Chi-yuen, Fan’s aunt, and numerous forensic experts. The courtroom atmosphere was chaotic—Leung Wai-lun’s family caused multiple disruptions during proceedings.
Paranormal Reports from the Courtroom
The forensic doctor in charge of the case revealed that when evidence including the skull, the Hello Kitty doll, and the clay pot used to cook the body were presented to the court, the entire court was filled with the smell of the corpse.
Even more unsettling, no matter where the Hello Kitty doll was presented, nearby lights would flicker. These electrical disturbances occurred repeatedly throughout the trial, particularly during key testimony.
Some observers attributed these phenomena to faulty wiring, but others—including some court personnel—believed they were experiencing paranormal activity connected to Fan’s restless spirit. The reports added to the case’s mystique and reinforced the spiritual elements that had surrounded it from the beginning.
Why Were the Killers Convicted of Manslaughter, Not Murder?
The trial’s most controversial aspect was the final verdict. Despite overwhelming evidence of torture and brutality, the jury convicted Chan, Leung Shing-cho, and Leung Wai-lun of manslaughter rather than murder—by a vote of 6-3.
The issue came down to insufficient evidence regarding the exact cause of death. Because so little of Fan’s body was recovered, and what was found had been extensively damaged through boiling and disposal, forensic experts could not definitively determine how she died.
The defense argued that Fan died from a self-administered methamphetamine overdose given her history of drug addiction. They claimed the three men were guilty only of improperly disposing of her body after an accidental death.
Prosecutors countered that the sustained torture directly caused Fan’s death through traumatic shock, severe injuries, and physical trauma. However, without conclusive forensic evidence of the exact mechanism of death, they could not prove beyond reasonable doubt that the men had intended to kill her.
The jury ultimately determined that while Fan had undoubtedly died as a result of the accused men’s abuse, and their actions were directly responsible for her death, there was insufficient evidence to prove they specifically intended to murder her.
Sentencing and Prison Status of the Perpetrators
Current Status of the Criminals
On December 7, 2000, Justice Peter Nguyen sentenced all three men to life imprisonment with the possibility of parole after 20 years. He condemned their actions in harsh terms, stating: “Never in Hong Kong in recent years has a court heard of such cruelty, depravity, callousness, viciousness, and inhumanity.”
Chan Man-lok: Remains incarcerated at Stanley Prison in Hong Kong as of 2026. He became eligible for parole in 2020 but reportedly has not been released.
Leung Wai-lun: Also remains in Stanley Prison. He has maintained a low profile throughout his incarceration.
Leung Shing-cho: His sentence was reduced to 18 years on appeal in March 2004. He was released in April 2014 after serving his time. However, in August 2022, he was re-arrested and sentenced to 12 months imprisonment for sexually assaulting a 10-year-old girl—demonstrating that his violent tendencies had not been reformed.
Ah Fong: Granted complete immunity for her testimony. She was never charged with any crime related to Fan’s torture and death due to her cooperation with authorities and her status as a minor at the time of the offense.
Public Reaction and Media Coverage in Hong Kong
The manslaughter verdict sparked outrage across Hong Kong. In a city with one of the lowest homicide rates in the world, citizens were shocked that such extreme brutality could result in anything less than a murder conviction.
Public protests erupted outside the courthouse. Many felt the legal system had failed Fan Man-yee and that the perpetrators deserved harsher punishment. Legal experts debated whether Hong Kong’s evidentiary standards were too strict for cases involving extensive body destruction.
Media coverage was intense and sensationalistic. Newspapers published graphic details of the torture, though some information was withheld due to its extreme nature. The case dominated headlines for months, with public fascination focusing on both the brutality and the supernatural elements.
The Hello Kitty brand, beloved by millions worldwide, became uncomfortably associated with the crime. Some Hong Kong residents reported feeling uneasy around Hello Kitty merchandise for years afterward.
Cultural Impact of the Hello Kitty Murder Case
Hello Kitty Murder Case in Pop Culture
The case has become a fixture in Asian true crime lore, frequently cited as one of the most disturbing criminal cases in modern Hong Kong history. It’s often discussed alongside other notorious Asian crimes in true crime podcasts, documentaries, and online forums dedicated to disturbing real-life crimes.
The spiritual element—Ah Fong’s claim of being haunted—has made the case particularly popular among those interested in the paranormal. Many believe Fan’s spirit played an active role in bringing her killers to justice, refusing to rest until the truth was revealed.
The case is frequently referenced in discussions about:
- The psychological effects of methamphetamine abuse
- Triad gang violence in Hong Kong
- The vulnerability of women in sex work
- The intersection of true crime and the supernatural
- Urban legends and haunted locations
Movies Inspired by the Hello Kitty Murder
In 2001, two Hong Kong horror films were released that dramatized the events:
Human Pork Chop (烹屍之喪盡天良): This exploitation film took significant creative liberties with the case, adding fictional elements for shock value. It was criticized for being gratuitously violent and disrespectful to Fan’s memory.
There is a Secret in My Soup: Another dramatization that focused more on the psychological horror aspects of the case. Both films performed poorly at the box office, with critics arguing they exploited a real tragedy for entertainment.
Neither film achieved critical acclaim, and both have been criticized by victims’ rights advocates for sensationalizing Fan’s suffering. However, they contributed to the case’s enduring presence in popular culture.
Where Is the Hello Kitty Murder Apartment Today?
The Haunted Building and Its Demolition
After the murder was discovered, the grim details of the Hello Kitty murder discouraged potential residents. The third-floor apartment where Fan was tortured remained empty. Eventually, residents began moving out of other units in the building as well.
Some claimed that after the Hello Kitty Murder the building itself was haunted by Fan and there were many who claimed to have seen her haunting the area. Reports included:
- Apparitions of a woman bound in electrical wire
- Strange sounds emanating from the third floor
- Feelings of intense dread and sadness in the building
- Unexplained cold spots and electrical disturbances
One tenant who unknowingly rented a fourth-floor apartment later learned what had occurred in the building and immediately moved out, citing disturbing experiences she couldn’t explain.
The building became known in Hong Kong real estate circles as “hungza”—a haunted property. Banks refused to finance purchases of the property, and it remained empty for years, eventually becoming an eyesore in the busy Tsim Sha Tsui district.
Memorial and Rebuilding
In September 2012, the entire building at No. 31 Granville Road was demolished. The demolition was completed during the Hungry Ghost Festival—a time in Chinese Buddhist and Taoist tradition when spirits are believed to roam freely in the realm of the living.
In 2016, a new hotel called Soravit on Granville was constructed on the site. As a memorial to what had occurred there and to bring peace to the location, developers installed three Buddha statues in the hotel—a spiritual gesture meant to cleanse the property and provide rest for Fan’s spirit.
Some locals still avoid the location, believing the ground itself carries the trauma of what occurred there. Others see the new construction as a successful transformation, allowing the area to move forward from its dark past.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Hello Kitty Murder Case
Q: Is the Hello Kitty murder case real? Yes, the Hello Kitty murder case is a real criminal case that occurred in Hong Kong in 1999. All details are documented in police reports, court transcripts, and media coverage from the time.
Q: Why is it called the Hello Kitty murder? The case received its name because Fan Man-yee’s skull was discovered sewn inside a large Hello Kitty mermaid plush doll—a disturbing contrast between the innocent children’s character and the brutal crime.
Q: Was Fan Man-yee’s ghost real? Whether Ah Fong was genuinely experiencing paranormal activity or suffering from severe guilt and trauma remains debated. She claimed to be haunted by Fan’s ghost, which led her to confess. Many interpret the “haunting” as psychological manifestation of guilt, while others believe in the spiritual element of the case.
Q: Where are the killers now? As of 2026, Chan Man-lok and Leung Wai-lun remain incarcerated in Stanley Prison, Hong Kong. Leung Shing-cho was released in 2014 but was re-arrested in 2022 for sexually assaulting a child.
Q: What happened to Fan Man-yee’s son? Fan’s son, who was an infant when she was murdered, was placed in protective care. His current whereabouts and identity are kept confidential to protect his privacy.
Q: Can you visit the location where the murder occurred? The original building was demolished in 2012. A hotel (Soravit on Granville) now occupies the site at No. 31 Granville Road, Tsim Sha Tsui. The hotel contains Buddha statues as memorials.
Q: Were there really paranormal events during the trial? Multiple witnesses reported unusual occurrences during the trial, including unexplained odors of decay when evidence was presented and lights flickering near the Hello Kitty doll. Whether these were paranormal phenomena or coincidental technical issues remains debated.
Q: Why didn’t Ah Fong receive any punishment? Ah Fong was granted complete immunity in exchange for her testimony against the three men. Prosecutors determined that her cooperation was essential to securing convictions, and as a minor who had been groomed by the adult perpetrators, she was treated as a victim as well as a participant.
Q: How did police identify Fan Man-yee? Police used photo superimposition—a forensic technique where photographs of the missing person are overlaid onto the skull to verify identity based on anatomical features. The skull matched photographs of Fan when alive.
Q: Is the Hello Kitty company connected to the case? No. Sanrio, the company that owns Hello Kitty, has no connection to the case. The Hello Kitty merchandise in the apartment was simply decor chosen by the perpetrators, and the doll used to conceal the skull was an unrelated commercial product.
The Spiritual Mystery That Remains
Twenty-seven years after Fan Man-yee’s death, the Hello Kitty murder case continues to fascinate and disturb in equal measure. The question that haunts many who study this case is not just about the depths of human cruelty, but about what drove Ah Fong to confess.
Was she truly haunted by Fan’s vengeful spirit, unable to rest until justice was served? Or was the “haunting” a manifestation of overwhelming guilt—a teenage mind’s way of processing the horror she had witnessed and participated in?
The forensic doctor reported that lights flickered whenever the Hello Kitty doll was presented in court, and multiple witnesses described unexplained phenomena throughout the trial. Skeptics attribute these events to coincidence and suggestion, but believers see them as evidence that Fan’s spirit was present, ensuring her killers faced consequences.
The building where the torture occurred reportedly experienced paranormal activity for years before its demolition. Residents claimed to see Fan’s ghost, still bound in electrical wire, wandering the hallways. Were these sightings mass hysteria driven by knowledge of the crime, or genuine spiritual encounters?
Perhaps the most compelling aspect of the spiritual elements is that they brought justice. Without Ah Fong’s confession—driven by what she perceived as supernatural haunting—the crime might never have been discovered. Fan’s body had been scattered across Hong Kong’s trash dumps. No missing person report had been filed. The perpetrators had no intention of revealing what they’d done.
If we accept that Ah Fong’s nightmares and sense of haunting led to the case being solved, then regardless of whether we believe in literal ghosts, Fan’s memory and spirit achieved something remarkable: they ensured she would not be forgotten, and that her killers would face justice.
The three Buddha statues now standing in the hotel built on the former murder site serve as a reminder—not just of the tragedy that occurred there, but of the belief that troubled spirits deserve peace. Whether Fan’s spirit has found that peace, or whether she still wanders the streets of Tsim Sha Tsui seeking complete justice, remains one of Hong Kong’s enduring mysteries.
What we know for certain is that Fan Man-yee’s story—from her tragic childhood to her horrific death to the strange circumstances of how justice was served—represents one of the most haunting intersections of true crime and the supernatural in modern history.
DISCLAIMER AND MENTAL HEALTH RESOURCES
This article contains detailed descriptions of extreme violence, torture, and murder that some readers may find deeply disturbing. The Hello Kitty murder case represents real trauma experienced by a real person—Fan Man-yee—whose suffering should not be forgotten or exploited.
If you are experiencing thoughts of self-harm, are in crisis, or need mental health support:
- International Association for Suicide Prevention: https://www.iasp.info/resources/Crisis_Centres/
- Crisis Text Line: Text HOME to 741741 (US), 686868 (Canada), or 85258 (UK)
- National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (US): 1-800-273-8255
- Samaritans (UK): 116 123
- Lifeline (Australia): 13 11 14
- Hong Kong Samaritan Befrienders: (852) 2389 2222
If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence or abuse:
- National Domestic Violence Hotline (US): 1-800-799-7233
- Refuge (UK): 0808 2000 247
- Harmony House (Hong Kong): (852) 2522 0434
For substance abuse support:
- SAMHSA National Helpline (US): 1-800-662-4357
- Frank (UK): 0300 123 6600
- Hong Kong Drug Info Centre: (852) 2366 8822
For sex trafficking victims and support:
- National Human Trafficking Hotline (US): 1-888-373-7888
- The Salvation Army Anti-Trafficking Helpline (UK): 0300 303 8151
- Zi Teng (Hong Kong sex workers organization): (852) 2332 7182
This article is intended for educational purposes and to raise awareness about violence against vulnerable populations, particularly women in sex work. If reading about true crime cases affects your mental health, please reach out to professional support services.
Remember: You are not alone, and help is available 24/7.
Article published February 2026. All information verified through court documents, police reports, forensic records, and contemporary media coverage. Sources include Hong Kong High Court transcripts, Wikipedia, All That’s Interesting, ABC News, and verified news archives.
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