The mysterious and tragic death of Singaporean architect Audrey Fang in Spain has captivated international attention. The 39-year-old was found brutally murdered with over 30 stab wounds near the RM-422 highway in Abanilla, Spain, on April 10, 2024. The primary suspect, Mitchell Ong, a 43-year-old Singaporean, was arrested shortly after and has been linked to the crime through various pieces of evidence.
The Discovery and Arrest
Audrey Fang's body was discovered by the local police chief, bearing multiple stab wounds and signs of head trauma. The preliminary autopsy confirmed these injuries as the cause of death. The investigation quickly led to Mitchell Ong, who was identified as the renter of a grey Nissan Qashqai seen near the crime scene. CCTV footage showed the car entering and leaving the area around the time of the murder.
Ong was arrested on April 16 at the Eurostars Lucentum hotel in Alicante. The car keys and a vacuum cleaner found in his possession raised further suspicions. Additionally, the soles of limited edition Nike shoes found in his hotel room matched footprints at the crime scene, and soil samples from the shoes are being analyzed to confirm their presence at the location where Fang's body was found.
Economic Motive and CPF Beneficiary
One of the most compelling aspects of the case is the potential economic motive. Spanish authorities have requested banking and insurance information from Singapore to investigate this angle. It was revealed that Audrey Fang had named Mitchell Ong as the sole beneficiary of her Central Provident Fund (CPF) savings just six months before her death. This nomination, found on Fang's iPad, described Ong as a "long-time friend and trusted confidant."
Fang's family discovered that she had accumulated up to €340,000 (S$498,000) in her CPF accounts. Additionally, she had bought two investment-linked insurance policies from Ong in 2015. These financial connections have led investigators to consider the possibility that Ong's motive for the murder was financial gain.
Forensic Evidence and Investigation
The forensic evidence against Ong is substantial. Apart from the matching shoe prints, CCTV footage, and the rental car, both Fang's and Ong's mobile phones were traced to the same area on the day of the murder. The judge overseeing the case has authorized the extraction of data from Ong's phone and the cloning of hard drives belonging to both the suspect and the victim. This data is expected to provide crucial information for the investigation.
Court Proceedings and Family's Response
Ong remains in pre-trial detention in Sangonera prison in Murcia, considered a flight risk due to his lack of ties in Spain. The court has yet to charge him formally, as the police report is still being compiled. During a court hearing, Manuel Martinez, the lawyer representing Fang's family, pressed for a murder charge, but the defense argued that it was too early for such a classification.
Fang's family, devastated by the loss, is seeking answers and justice. Her brother, Benjamin, and other family members have expressed their horror and sadness over the brutal nature of the crime. They are also trying to understand the relationship between Fang and Ong, as it remains unclear to them.
The murder of Audrey Fang is a tragic and complex case that has highlighted potential economic motives and intricate forensic evidence. As the investigation continues, the international community watches closely, hoping for justice for Audrey Fang and her grieving family.
