'The smell of death': Son tells trial how he found his father dead and mother missing at Ellerslie home
A son testified in an Auckland court about discovering his father's body and his mother's disappearance at their home. The defendant is on trial for the murders of the couple, who were both medical professionals.
Why it matters
The case highlights a high-profile criminal trial involving the violent deaths of two healthcare workers, drawing significant public attention in New Zealand.
It was the smell of death that made Chi-Ho Ricky Kwok suspect his father was dead.
Lok Fung Lorrence Li was on trial for the murders of Fuk Fu Joseph Kwok and his wife, Mei Han Chong, in their home in Auckland's Ellerslie in 2023.
He's also charged with conspiring to murder someone else, who cannot be named.
A jury in the High Court at Auckland heard harrowing evidence about the night Ricky Kwok went to check on his parents, and found his dad dead and his mum missing.
Kwok, an only child, told the court his parents would come to Hamilton where he lived on a regular basis.
The Kwok's were meant to visit their son for Joseph's birthday, shortly before a trip to Hong Kong, but never arrived.
Just after 1pm, Kwok grew nervous, calling them to no avail.
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