Hong Kong prisoner serving life sentence for murder of his wife dies in hospital
Inmate was suffering from cancer and needed continuous medical care
A Hong Kong prisoner serving a life sentence for killing his wife with a hammer in 2009 died in the early hours of Wednesday after he was admitted to hospital.
Lee Koon-fat, 66, who was in custody at the city’s maximum-security Stanley Prison, was suffering from cancer and required continuous medical care and follow-up by the institution’s hospital and an outside public hospital.
On August 4, the man was sent to a public hospital for treatment due to physical discomfort, according to the Correctional Services Department.
“During his time in hospital, his condition deteriorated and he was certified dead at 2.05am today,” the department said in a press statement released on Wednesday.
The case has been reported to police.
“A death inquest will be held by the Coroner’s Court,” the department said.
Lee was handed a life sentence in November 2010 after he was found guilty in the Court of First Instance of murdering his wife, Wong Wai-chun.
The murder took place after they had a row on December 13, 2009 in their public housing flat in Wu King Estate, Tuen Mun. The couple’s five-year-old son was present.
The court heard he beat his 39-year-old wife to death with a hammer and then tried to cut up her body.
