Mystery deepens as Hong Kong legend Anita Mui’s urn remains missing for 3 months

Hong Kong police launched an investigation after the urn of legendary Hong Kong actress and singer 'Anita Mui' was suspected of being stolen, but its whereabouts have remained unknown for three months.

Alleged theft raises questions at Lantau Island resting place for Hong Kong film stars

The international fan club of 'Anita Mui' issued a statement in the family’s name on social media on the 10th, according to reports from local outlets including the South China Morning Post. The statement said the late star’s urn had disappeared and that police had made no clear progress despite investigating for three months.

The incident dates back to July 18. A fan visiting 'Po Lin Monastery' on Hong Kong’s Lantau Island was the first to discover that the urn was missing and notified the family, after which a police report was filed. A Hong Kong police spokesperson said the Lantau regional crime squad was investigating the suspected theft of an item kept at the monastery, but that no suspects had been arrested so far.

The news, released ahead of the late star’s birthday on Oct. 10, plunged fans into deep sorrow. Some fan clubs strongly urged the monastery to conduct a comprehensive review of its security system. 'Po Lin Monastery' declined to comment officially, citing the ongoing investigation.

The family said it had received no threatening calls demanding money in exchange for the urn and made an earnest appeal for tips from the public that could provide a decisive lead in solving the case.

The monastery is a major Hong Kong tourist attraction, home to the 'Tian Tan Buddha', the world’s largest outdoor seated bronze Buddha, and draws visitors year-round. The family did not attach a photograph to the urn’s niche in hopes of ensuring the deceased’s peaceful rest. Instead of her real name, they are said to have used her nickname.

Meanwhile, 'Anita Mui', born in 1963, was one of the leading figures of Hong Kong cinema’s golden era in the 1980s and 1990s, alongside Leslie Cheung and Chow Yun-fat. She was known as the Madonna of Asia after appearing in numerous acclaimed productions, including 'A Better Tomorrow III' and 'The Return of the Condor Heroes'. She died in 2003 at the age of 40 after battling cervical cancer. Hong Kong also saw a suspected urn theft involving martial arts director Lau Kar-leung of the film 'Drunken Master II' last year, leading to an arrest and fueling growing concern about the management of urns belonging to celebrities.