Anita Mui’s Ashes Missing From HK Monastery For 3 Months; Brother Offers S$8.1K Reward For Leads

October 10 marked what would have been late Cantopop icon Anita Mui’s 63rd birthday. But this year, her family and fans had another reason to mourn — the urn containing her ashes has been missing for almost three months.

The news was revealed in an appeal shared by the Anita Mui International Fan Club that day, asking the public for help to find her ashes and bring Anita “home”.

Anita, who died of cervical cancer in 2003 at the age of 40, had her ashes placed at the Hoi Wui Pagoda at Po Lin Monastery on Lantau Island.

On Jul 18, fans visiting the monastery to pay their respects noticed that the screws on the plaque covering Anita’s niche had come loose.

When they checked, the urn containing her ashes was gone.

The fans immediately alerted Anita’s family, who lodged a police report. Nearly three months later, the urn has yet to be found.

Anita's mother, Tam Mei Kam, had deliberately kept her daughter’s resting place low-key to give her privacy.

There was no photograph of Anita at the niche, nor was her name displayed. According to Hong Kong media, it was instead inscribed with her childhood nickname “Chu Nui” (珠女).

In their statement, Anita’s family said the incident had caused them immense distress and emotional anguish.

Making matters worse, Anita’s mother passed away in August at the age of 102.

The family described it as a double blow, saying they are physically and emotionally exhausted and hope to recover Anita’s ashes so she can rest in peace again.

According to Hong Kong media, no ransom demand has been made, and no other urns at the columbarium have been reported stolen.

Anita’s elder brother Peter Mui Kai Ming, however, had no idea his sister’s ashes were missing until he was contacted by the media.

Kai Ming, who last visited his sister’s resting place in July 2025, said he was shocked and furious.

He has since offered a HK$50,000 (S$8,100) reward for information that could help recover the ashes.

He also hit back at speculation that he might have taken the urn himself: “What would I steal it for?!”

Kai Ming insisted he loved his sister dearly and would never do such a thing.

He said no one had contacted him to demand money for the urn, and he had no idea what the motive could be.

On Oct 11, Hong Kong police confirmed they received a report on Jul 18 about an item suspected to have gone missing from a monastery on Lantau Island.

The case was classified as a “request for police assistance” and referred to the Lantau District Regional Crime Unit for follow-up. No arrests have been made.

Anita’s family is appealing to anyone who visited the Hoi Wui Pagoda or Po Lin Monastery between early January and Jul 18 to come forward if they saw anything suspicious, particularly anyone carrying what appeared to be an urn.

Drivers who visited the area in July, particularly before Jul 18, are also urged to check their dashcam footage for clues that could help bring Anita “home”.