Hong Kong Merchant Jailed For Trying To Kill Wife, Daughters Amid Debt Woes

A Hong Kong merchant has been jailed for five years and four months for attempting to murder his wife and three daughters by burning charcoal in their public rental flat after struggling to repay debts totalling nearly HK$900,000 (US$115,000).

The High Court on Monday sentenced Wong Pak-ting in what the presiding judge described as a “tragic” case.

The 45-year-old pleaded guilty in May to four counts of attempted murder after spiking food and drinks prepared for his family with sleeping pills and then trying to kill himself with them at their home in Tuen Mun’s Shan King Estate on June 25, 2024.

Wong told police he had been receiving psychiatric treatment for depression since March that year, as he struggled to keep his food distribution business afloat despite borrowing money from friends and financial institutions.

He said he wanted to end his life and that of his family because he feared they would be harassed by debt collectors, although no such harassment had occurred before the offence.

Wong crushed about 10 sleeping pills into powder and added them to the beef noodles he prepared for his family that evening. He also put the equivalent of two pills into each of five bubble tea drinks he bought for his wife, children and himself.

After his family fell asleep at about 8pm or 9pm, Wong sealed the doors and placed several pots of burning charcoal around the 310 sq ft flat before going to bed.

He said he woke up about five hours later and put out the charcoal because he could not bear to see his family die with him. He then left the flat alone.

Wong’s wife, Leung Ka-wai, 44, and their three daughters, aged between 13 and 16, were conscious and able to respond normally when firefighters arrived at 6.16am the following day.

The High Court sentenced the defendant in what the presiding judge described as a “tragic” case. Photo: Nora Tam

All four were diagnosed with carbon monoxide poisoning. Their carboxyhaemoglobin levels ranged from 9.3 to 10.2 per cent, below fatal levels.

Wong was arrested at a guest house in Mong Kok at about 6pm on June 26, 2024.

In a pre-sentencing report, a government psychologist said Wong had overestimated his ability to cope with stress and had been adamant that he could manage his financial problems alone.

The psychologist noted his rigid personality and limited problem-solving skills, but said Wong was not a violent person and was unlikely to reoffend if he continued receiving psychiatric and psychological treatment.

A victim impact assessment found that Wong’s three daughters had suffered no long-term psychological harm as a result of the incident.

His wife, although shocked and upset, understood that her husband had been under immense pressure and had not committed the offence out of malice.

Mr Justice Douglas Yau Tak-hong described Wong as a “good man” who had committed the offence as a result of poor judgment.

He said the premeditated and “horrific” nature of the offence was mitigated by Wong’s decision to stop at the eleventh hour.

“Based on all the reports, it is clear that the defendant, up to the point of the attempts [to murder his family], had been a responsible husband and father who had strived all his life to support his family,” Yau said.

“It is most fortunate that there was no loss of life, and it is not too late for the defendant to accept that he needs help and to make amends.”

Yau expressed sympathy for Wong and urged him to seek help from his loved ones and society in the future.

The court reduced a starting sentence of eight years by one-third to reflect Wong’s guilty plea, resulting in a term of five years and four months.

Attempted murder is punishable by up to life imprisonment.

If you have suicidal thoughts or know someone who is experiencing them, help is available. In Hong Kong, you can dial 18111 for the government-run Mental Health Support Hotline.

You can also call +852 2896 0000 for The Samaritans or +852 2382 0000 for Suicide Prevention Services.

In the US, call or text 988 or chat at for the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. For a list of other nations’ helplines, see this page.