Lawyer in dead model case may quit after receiving threats

The lawyer representing the family of model Annie Pang Chor-ying at next week's inquest is considering quitting the case after receiving two threatening phone calls, a legislator involved in the case said yesterday.

Solicitor Mary Jean Reimer, who is representing Pang's family, told lawmaker Leung Yiu-chung that a man warned her to 'beware' in two anonymous phone calls she received on Wednesday and Thursday. 'Her family is very worried about her safety. She herself is very unhappy,' Mr Leung said.

He said Ms Reimer was considering withdrawing from the inquest, which is scheduled to start on Monday and last for three weeks.

Reimer & Partners, the actress-turned-solicitor's firm, said yesterday Ms Reimer was off sick with a cold and 'does not wish to attract any more publicity'. A secretary said: 'She said she is only performing her duty and understands that there will be risks involved.'

In 1999, Pang's remains were found at a Yau Ma Tei flat owned by John Fang Meng-sang, brother of former chief secretary Anson Chan Fang On-sang. Pang's head was discovered in a nearby rubbish bin, and a gold tooth and two digit bones were missing. Pang disappeared in 1995, when she was 34. There were no signs of a struggle or violence and the cause of death remained a mystery because of the extent of decomposition.

On Thursday, Mr Fang, 66, filed a writ to the High Court seeking a permanent injunction to prevent Ms Reimer from obtaining his confidential documents.

The documents related to a 2001 court case in which Mr Fang, then a practising lawyer, was sued by a client for failing to complete the purchase of a property with a good title.