Prosecutors in Spain ask for suspect to be charged with murder of S'porean Audrey Fang

Prosecutors in Spain have asked a court to charge Singaporean Mitchell Ong with the murder of Singaporean Audrey Fang, 39, in Abanilla, Spain, according to Spanish media.

Ong, then-43, was detained in a Spanish prison following his arrest on Apr. 16, 2024, and appeared in court through video call on Feb. 20.

He has declined to comment since his arrest.

Facts point to murder: Prosecutors

Spanish news outlet La Verdad reported that in light of investigation findings, private prosecutors and the Spanish public prosecutor's office asked the court on Feb. 20 to charge Ong with murder.

Lawyer Manuel Martinez said on behalf of private prosecutors representing Fang's family that there are "sufficient indications of criminality" against Ong.

He added that the facts point to a crime of murder, committed with "premeditation and cruelty".

Martinez highlighted that Fang had travelled to Alicante, Spain in April 2024, apparently at the request of Ong.

She also did not tell her family the reason for the trip.

Martinez said evidence showed that Fang met Ong at a hotel there and they had dinner together.

Fang was subsequently found dead with more than 30 stab wounds in a lorry park at Abanilla.

Fang was last seen walking out of her hotel on the night of Apr. 9, 2024 with her personal belongings still in her room.

Private prosecutors alleged that Ong drove Fang to a parking lot near a restaurant in Abanilla at around 11pm on Apr. 9.

The car, a grey Nissan Qashqai rented by Ong, was caught on surveillance footage stopping by an almond grove, and remaining at the same spot for some time before driving off at 11:45pm.

The prosecutors alleged that when the car drove off, Fang was no longer inside.

Fang's body was found in the grove the next day, Apr. 10.

Martinez pointed out that there was evidence of an "emotional" relationship between Fang and Ong, though they were not an official couple.

He maintained the prosecution's position that the murder was financially motivated because Fang had named Ong the beneficiary of her life insurance policies.

Defence called for new proceedings

In response, the defence lawyer urged for the case to be dismissed.

She argued that Ong and Fang were just friends and pointed out that neither the murder weapon nor biological remains have been found, Spanish broadcaster Onda Regional de Murcia reported.

The defence lawyer called for new proceedings, including an independent expert's opinion on the contents of Ong's phone and Ong's testimony.

The lawyer also noted that Ong has lost contact with his family despite maintaining his innocence.

If Ong is convicted of murder in Spain, he could reportedly be jailed for up to 25 years.

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Top image from Mitchell Ong's Instagram & Fang Dirou/Facebook