Police on Wednesday said they arrested a middle-aged woman on suspicion of murdering her neighbour at the Kwun Tong Community Health Centre.

The force – which had earlier classified the case as a fight – said it received a report from the centre just before 3pm.

Superintendent Tong Kam-wai said violent impacts were reportedly heard after the 79-year-old woman and the suspect, 51, went into the toilet. The victim was said to have not cried for help.

He said the suspect had allegedly refused to let medical staff in, until firefighters arrived and broke into the toilet stall. A knife and a whetstone were found at the scene.

Police said the elderly woman was found unconscious, with head and neck injuries, and a skull fracture. She was later certified dead at the hospital.

A 51-year-old woman, who was apprehended by police, was also taken to hospital for minor injuries.

The superintendent said the police investigation revealed that the suspect had accompanied the victim for an appointment at the centre before the alleged murder happened.

“Our initial investigation showed that the victim lived alone, and she knew the suspect who was her neighbour.”

“Because we believe the suspected weapon was allegedly brought to the scene by the suspect, police do not rule out that the incident was premeditated. So police are now looking into the suspect's background, especially her previous interactions with the victim, in hopes of finding out the motive behind the incident,” Tong said.

He added that the suspect did not have a history of mental illness, but has now been sent to Castle Peak Hospital.
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Last updated: 2023-08-30 HKT 23:00