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Elderly Hong Kong man arrested for killing sick wife: report

Hong Kong
File photo of Shau Kei Wan district, where the murder took place. Photo: Bloomberg

An elderly man in Hong Kong has been arrested for allegedly killing his sick and disabled wife to end her suffering, according to the South China Morning Post.

Citing a police source, SCMP reported that he feared no one would take care of his wife, who suffered from several chronic diseases and was wheelchair-bound, if he fell sick or died. The condition of his wife, who suffered a stroke three years ago, had also worsened of late.

Wong Kwok-man, 80, surrendered himself to police on Tuesday (6 June). He is said to have strangled his wife Lam Mei-kam, 76, with a bamboo rod while she lay in bed in their Shau Kei Wan public housing flat.

Wong called the police shortly after 9am, saying he had killed his wife. She was found unconscious in bed with bruises on her neck and was certified dead at the scene. A 30cm-long bamboo rod was also discovered.

Another police source said that after attacking his wife, the man went out for breakfast, returned home, took a shower and tidied up the flat before calling police.

On Tuesday night, Wong was still being held for questioning at the North Point Police Station and had not been charged.

Neighbours described the pair as a “loving couple” whose only son died several years ago.

A neighbour said Wong was exhausted from taking care of his wife as he had to buy food, cook and even help her shower. “He was very tired and had a hard time,” she said.