“A [suspect] has been named as the mastermind behind the assassination of a wealthy Hong Kong businessman at a teahouse in Central,” reported the South China Morning Post on January 14, 2003.
“The [Xinhua] news agency said four suspects seized on the mainland including the alleged hired killer, Yang Wen, were yesterday officially arrested by the Shenzhen People’s Court.
“Harry Lam Hon-lit, 54, a director of Hong Kong-based Digger Holdings and an investor in the Mission Hills Golf Club in Shenzhen, was killed with a single bullet to the head in the Luk Yu Tea House on November 30 [2002] as he ate breakfast with friends.”
On December 25, 2004, the Post reported that “Hong Kong resident Lau Yat-yin, who is said to have ordered the murder […] had paid $2 million to fellow Hong Kong resident Tse Bing, 45, on [sic] October 2002 to have Lam killed. Tse subsequently hired mainlander Yang Wen, 25.”
Police search for the bullet that fatally wounded businessman Harry Lam Hon-lit at Luk Yu Tea House in Hong Kong’s Central neighbourhood, on November 30, 2002. Photo: David Wong
A police sniffer dog is brought to Luk Yu Tea House to look for evidence after the murder, on November 30, 2002. Photo: David Wong
On October 26, 2006, the Post revealed that a Hong Kong businessman and former TV actor [Yeung Ka-on had become] the latest Hong Kong resident to become involved in the case. He is alleged to have paid triad boss Lau Yat-yin, 47, to kill Lam.
“Yesterday’s trial was conducted under tight security and in secrecy,” it reported.
One of the eight defendants, accused of the Luk Yu Tea House murder case, is escorted by police to Shenzhen Intermediate People’s Court, on October 25, 2006. Photo: Ricky Chung
Those accused went on to appeal against their sentences, but as the Post reported on July 11, 2007, “Hong Kong actor-turned-businessman Yeung Ka-on has been jailed for life by a Shenzhen court for his role in the execution-style murder of [Lam] in 2002.
“Mainland contract killer Yang Wen, 30, who shot Lam dead at point-blank range […] received the death sentence yesterday morning.”
Throughout the years of the Post’s reporting, “Yeung’s motive has not been spelled out”.
News Related