LONDON – A 36-year-old woman has been charged with the murder of Malaysian-born Deborah Chong Mee Kuen.
Jemma Mitchell was charged at the Willesden magistrates’ court here yesterday, and will appear at the Central Criminal Court of England and Wales – also known as the Old Bailey – on Tuesday.
She was arrested in the multicultural township of Kilburn here, a 45-minute drive from Chong’s neighbourhood in Wembley.
On June 27, Chong’s headless body was found in the woodlands in Salcombe, Devon, 350km from her home.
The 67-year-old had been reported missing on June 11.
Initially treated as an unexplained case during investigations led by Devon and Cornwall police, inquiries by the force in south Devon and the London area led to a murder probe launched by the Metropolitan Police’s specialist crime command.
A post-mortem conducted at Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital on June 28 has yet to ascertain the cause of death, police told the media.
Chong had been living in Wembley for over 30 years, according to reports.
Speculation on what led to her death includes robbery and hate crime.
The pensioner has been described by neighbours and friends as a staunch Christian, friendly and helpful, and yet, trusting and naive.
Formerly of Kuala Lumpur, Chong, who was single, studied at Ampang Road Girls’ School and Convent Bukit Nanas. – The Vibes July 11, 2021
