#SHOWBIZ: Late Cantopop legend Anita Mui's ashes stolen from Hong Kong monastery
Hong Kong authorities were alerted on 18 July that the urn containing the ashes of late Cantoponticon star Anita Mui had been removed from its niche at the Hoi Wui Pagoda of Po Lin Monastery on Lantau Island, a…
Source: NST Online · The Star · October 12, 2026 at 10:13 AM · AI-assisted report
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PO LIN MONASTERY, LANTAU ISLAND, 12 OCTOBER 2026 —
Hong Kong authorities were alerted on 18 July that the urn containing the ashes of late Cantoponticon star Anita Mui had been removed from its niche at the Hoi Wui Pagoda of Po Lin Monastery on Lantau Island, a disappearance that has now been publicised by the Anita Mui International Fan Club and has prompted a police investigation.
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The loss of the urn, which had rested in the monastery for more than two decades, has intensified grief for Mui’s family and supporters. Anita Mui, who died of cervical cancer in 2003 at age 40, was interred in a low‑key niche that bore only her childhood nickname “Chu Nui” (珠女) and no photograph or full name, a privacy measure chosen by her mother Tam Mei Kam.
The family said the incident has caused “immense distress and emotional anguish” and that they are “physically and emotionally exhausted” after also mourning the death of Tam Mei Kam, who passed away in August at age 102.
Fans first noticed the problem when a group visiting the monastery on 18 July observed that the screws securing the plaque over the niche had become loose. Upon inspection they found the urn missing and immediately informed Mui’s relatives, who filed a police report.
Nearly three months later, the urn remains unrecovered, and Hong Kong media report that no ransom demand has been made and no other urns at the Po Lin columbarium have been reported stolen.
Peter Mui Kai‑Ming, Anita’s elder brother, said he learned of the theft only after media coverage.
Kai‑Ming, who last visited the niche in July 2025, described his reaction as “shocked and furious.” He offered a HK$50,000 (approximately S$8,100) reward for information leading to the recovery of the ashes and dismissed speculation that he might have taken the urn, asking “What would I steal it for?!” He affirmed his love for his sister and said no one had approached him with a demand for money.
The family’s appeal, circulated by the fan club on 10 October – the date that would have marked Mui’s 63rd birthday – called on the public to help locate the missing urn and “bring Anita home.” The appeal echoed statements from the family that they hope the ashes can be returned so that Mui may “rest in peace again.” The fan club’s message did not disclose any further investigative leads or suspect details.
Hong Kong police have not released an update on the progress of their inquiry, and the case has drawn attention from regional media outlets, including the South China Morning Post, Malay Mail and Singapore’s 8 Days, all of which reproduced the family’s statements and the fan club’s appeal. The incident has also been noted by Malaysian observers as a cultural loss, given Mui’s enduring popularity across Greater China and among overseas Chinese communities.
The disappearance has raised concerns about security at religious sites that house columbarium niches. While the Po Lin Monastery has not commented on any changes to its protective measures, the fact that no other urns have been reported stolen suggests a targeted act rather than a broader breach. Authorities have not indicated whether surveillance footage or visitor logs are being examined, and no ransom or extortion attempts have been reported.
Anita Mui’s legacy as a pioneering Cantopop icon and actress remains influential in the region’s entertainment market, and the loss of her ashes has sparked a wave of online tributes and calls for vigilance among fans. The family’s reward and public plea may sustain momentum for tips, but as of the latest report on 12 October, the urn’s whereabouts remain unknown and the case stays open.
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