The Chilling 5-Point Timeline Of The Hello Kitty Homicide: Where Are The Killers Now In 2025?

Contents
The Hello Kitty Homicide remains one of the most infamously brutal and disturbing true crime cases in Hong Kong's history, a macabre event that shocked the world in 1999. The case is so named because the victim's skull was ultimately discovered hidden inside a large, cheerful Hello Kitty mermaid doll, a sickening juxtaposition of innocence and unspeakable violence. As of late December 2025, public interest in this horrific event continues to surge, driven by the sheer depravity of the crime and the lingering question of justice for the victim, Fan Man-yee. This deep dive uncovers the complete, tragic timeline, the horrific details of the torture, and the latest status of the three men convicted of the crime.

The Tragic Life and Death of Fan Man-yee

Fan Man-yee, the victim of the Hello Kitty Homicide, was a 23-year-old nightclub hostess whose short life was marked by struggle and hardship. Her biography provides a crucial, human context to the sensationalized crime.
  • Name: Fan Man-yee (樊敏儀)
  • Age at Death: 23
  • Occupation: Nightclub Hostess (a common profession in the Tsim Sha Tsui nightlife district)
  • Family Status: Young Mother (she had a son, whose custody she was fighting to regain).
  • Early Life: Fan Man-yee spent time in an orphanage until the age of 15, after being abandoned by her family. This early instability is often cited as a factor in her later struggles.
  • Circumstances of Abduction: In March 1999, Fan was abducted from her apartment in the Lai Yiu Estate. The motive stemmed from an unpaid debt of HK$10,000 (approximately US$1,300) that she owed to one of the perpetrators, Chan Man-lok.
  • Date of Death: April 14, 1999, after approximately one month of prolonged torture.

The Horrific 5-Point Timeline of the 1999 Tsim Sha Tsui Apartment Murder

The crime that unfolded in a dilapidated apartment building in Tsim Sha Tsui was not a quick, impulsive act, but a sustained, meth-fueled period of torture that lasted for weeks. The shocking details emerged during the trial, painting a picture of unimaginable cruelty.

1. The Abduction and Confinement (March 1999)

The tragic chain of events began when Fan Man-yee was kidnapped over a relatively small debt. She was forcibly taken to an apartment located on the third floor of a walk-up building at 31 Granville Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon. This location, now infamous in Hong Kong true crime lore, became her prison. The perpetrators—Chan Man-lok, Leung Wai-lun, and Leung Shing-cho—were all members of the local triad society, adding a layer of organized crime to the case.

2. Weeks of Sustained and Brutal Torture

For approximately one month, Fan Man-yee was subjected to relentless and sadistic torture. The abuse was fueled by drugs, particularly crystal methamphetamine (meth), which the perpetrators were consuming heavily. The horrific acts, as detailed in court testimony, included:
  • Beating her with metal bars and objects.
  • Burning her feet with hot plastic and forcing her to consume human waste.
  • Extremely violent sexual assault.
  • Pouring chili oil into her wounds.
The prolonged nature of the torture is a key element that distinguishes this case in the annals of gruesome Hong Kong murders, highlighting the utter lack of human compassion from the perpetrators.

3. Death and Dismemberment (April 14, 1999)

Fan Man-yee died on April 14, 1999, though the exact cause of death was difficult to determine due to the state of her remains. Following her death, the three men dismembered her body in an attempt to dispose of the evidence. The body parts were boiled and then meticulously packaged in plastic bags.

4. The Macabre Discovery: The Hello Kitty Doll

The case gets its chilling name from the final resting place of the victim's head. The perpetrators removed her skull and placed it inside a large, stuffed Hello Kitty mermaid doll before sewing the toy shut. This grotesque act, combining a beloved children's icon with a horrific murder, is what cemented the case in global infamy. The rest of her remains were scattered and hidden throughout the apartment.

5. The Confession and Trial

The crime was finally brought to light not by a police investigation, but by a terrified insider. A 14-year-old girl, who was the girlfriend of one of the perpetrators and had witnessed some of the torture, was so traumatized by the events and haunted by nightmares that she turned herself in to the Tsim Sha Tsui police station in May 1999. Her confession led authorities to the Granville Road apartment. Due to the extreme disfigurement of the body, the jury found it impossible to determine the precise cause of death. Consequently, the three men—Chan Man-lok, Leung Wai-lun, and Leung Shing-cho—were convicted of manslaughter, rather than murder, in 2000.

The Shocking 2025 Status of the Hello Kitty Killers

The fate of the three perpetrators is a major point of curiosity for true crime enthusiasts, especially given the non-murder verdict. As of December 2025, the current status of the men reflects the complexities of the Hong Kong judicial system and the long shadow of their crime.

Chan Man-lok and Leung Wai-lun: Life Imprisonment Upheld

The two primary defendants, Chan Man-lok and Leung Wai-lun, were sentenced to life imprisonment for the manslaughter conviction. * Continuing Incarceration: Both men appealed their life sentences, arguing the term was excessive. However, the Court of Appeal upheld the life sentences, ruling that the sheer viciousness of the torture and their continuing danger to society justified the punishment. * Current Status: As of 2025, both Chan Man-lok and Leung Wai-lun remain incarcerated, serving their life sentences in a Hong Kong correctional facility.

Leung Shing-cho: Released and Re-jailed

The third perpetrator, Leung Shing-cho, had a different legal outcome, which has led to him being the source of the most recent news related to the case. * Initial Release: Leung Shing-cho was reportedly released from prison after serving a portion of his sentence. * Re-conviction (2018): In a shocking development that confirmed the court's earlier assessment of their danger to the public, Leung Shing-cho was arrested and convicted again in 2018. He was sentenced to 12 months in jail for indecently assaulting a 10-year-old girl. * Current Status: While the 12-month sentence has been served, this re-conviction serves as a grim and chilling reminder of the lasting menace posed by the convicted individuals in the Hello Kitty Homicide case. The lack of recent, post-2018 public updates on Leung Shing-cho suggests he is currently free, but living under the scrutiny of his past. The Hello Kitty Homicide remains a dark landmark in Hong Kong's history, a case that forever linked a symbol of childhood innocence with one of the most horrific acts of sadism ever recorded. The details of Fan Man-yee's torture, the macabre hiding place of her remains, and the subsequent life sentences—and re-conviction—of her killers ensure that the terrifying events of 31 Granville Road will not be forgotten.
hello kitty homicide
hello kitty homicide

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