SINGAPORE – The murder of Singaporean Audrey Fang in Spain has attracted international attention. Audrey was found dead with 30 stab wounds on 10 April 2024 near a truck parking area in Abanilla, about 150 km from the hotel where she was staying. The suspect, Mitchell Ong, was arrested on 16 April 2024 in Alicante, Spain, after CCTV footage showed him picking Audrey up from her hotel.
During the trial that took place on 23 September 2024, Ong’s ex-girlfriend, a Ukrainian woman, testified via video link from Kyiv. She stated that Ong had an aggressive nature and often experienced financial problems during their relationship. The woman first met Ong at a nightclub in Brussels in 2021 and had a relationship that suffered various breakdowns. She also mentioned that Ong often visited Alicante, where she lived, and in September 2023, they separated despite Ong continuing to send her flowers and gifts.
In April 2024, Ong invited his ex-girlfriend to Spain. Although initially hesitant, she agreed and let Ong organise accommodation in Alicante, a city they knew well. The woman did not know that Ong had been married since 2012 or that he had booked the hotel on her behalf. While in Alicante, she noted that Ong was aggressive, threw chairs after arguments, and exhibited strange behaviours such as feeling ‘parallel’ without any clear explanation.
In addition, the woman revealed that Ong once claimed to have financial problems and several people demanded payment from him. She also mentioned that Ong enjoyed a luxurious lifestyle despite facing financial problems.
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Spanish authorities are investigating the possible economic motive behind this murder. Audrey Fang’s family previously revealed that she had named Ong as a beneficiary of her Pension Savings Fund (CPF) fund, suggesting a financial link between the two.
This case highlights the importance of being alert to the potential risks that can arise in personal relationships, especially those involving financial matters and aggressive behaviour. Further investigation is expected to uncover the true motive behind this tragedy and provide justice for the victim.
