Audrey Fang's family asks Spanish judge to keep alleged killer Mitchell Ong in jail longer, cites his 'financial means'

The family of Audrey Fang, the Singaporean woman who died in April 2024 after travelling solo to Spain, has asked to keep her alleged killer in jail for longer.

Mitchell Ong, the sole suspect in the case, has been in pre-trial remand for close to two years, reported Spanish news outlet La Verdad.

Citing the risk that he could evade justice if released, Fang's family asked the Spanish court to extend Ong's detention in jail by two years.

Under Spanish law, pre-trial detention can last up to two years.

This may be extended by up to another two years in exceptional circumstances.

Ong 'has financial means'

In a written submission to the judge, the family's lawyer said that Ong "has financial means" and no ties to Spain.

As such, there is the risk that Ong would attempt to interfere with the investigation, he warned.

Meanwhile, Ong's court-appointed lawyer is seeking to get the case dismissed.

For the offence of murder, Ong could get between 15 and 25 years' jail.

Previously, Spanish police and Fang's family applied to get Ong deported from Spain back to Singapore.

But the request was blocked by a judge, who cited concerns about the death penalty.

This is despite the Singapore Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) explaining that Ong would not be investigated or prosecuted for the alleged murder if he were deported to Singapore.

As it took place in Spain, Singapore has no jurisdiction over the case, MHA said.

The case

Ong is suspected of killing Fang after the latter travelled alone to Abanilla, Spain, in April 2024.

She was found dead 150km away from where she was last seen, with at least 30 knife wounds on her.

He was arrested six days later, in his hotel room with Fang's phone.

It was later reported that both parties knew each other. Fang had bought two AIA investment-linked policies from Ong in 2015, and the pair had been in an "on and off" relationship for 10 years.

Ong had also been the sole beneficiary of Fang's CPF savings — totalling around S$500,000 — as of six months before the incident.

A CPF nomination note found on Fang's iPad, which was left in her hotel room, read:

"I want to declare that my decision to name you in my CPF is because you have been a friend for a long time and my trusted confidant."

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Top photos via Mitchell Ong & Audrey Fang's social media