Leung Chai-yan, the second daughter of former Hong Kong Chief Executive Leung Chun-ying, was found unconscious in a serviced apartment in Sai Wan on the evening of April 8, 2025. She was certified dead at the age of 33, prompting an outpouring of condolences and concern regarding her mental health history and familial relationships.
According to multiple reports, police received a call from an employee of the serviced apartment on Ai Tak Street at approximately 10:40 p.m., indicating that a female resident was suspected of fainting. Paramedics arrived shortly after and confirmed her death at the scene. The police have stated that preliminary investigations suggest no foul play, and the cause of death is pending an autopsy.
Leung Chun-ying confirmed his daughter's passing on his Facebook account at around 5 a.m. on April 9, 2025. In his emotional post, he expressed, "Chai-yan is gone, gone so suddenly, with no final words left behind. She was peacefully lying on her bed, and just days ago, she had even received a flu vaccine. I thank the police and forensic investigators for their work; we can rule out suicide and other suspicious circumstances. I am grateful for the concern, understanding, and comfort from friends during this difficult time for our family."
Leung Chai-yan had a tumultuous relationship with her parents, which attracted significant media attention over the years. She had previously shared her struggles on social media, often expressing feelings of discomfort and distress. On March 6, 2025, she posted on Instagram, stating, "The shattering of a heart when being broken is the loudest quiet ever," indicating her emotional state.
In 2014, Leung Chai-yan shocked the public by posting images of her self-harm on Facebook, captioned, "Will I bleed to death?" This incident led to a media frenzy and discussions about her mental health. During an interview with the Hong Kong Economic Journal on June 28, 2014, she admitted to self-harm and attributed the incident to her mother's influence, stating that her mother bore the greatest responsibility for her actions.
Her relationship with her mother, Regina Tong Ching-儀, was particularly scrutinized. In March 2015, Leung Chai-yan claimed on Facebook that she was abused by her mother and expressed a desire to leave home permanently. This led to police involvement when she appeared at the Government House, appearing dazed and distressed.
Leung Chun-ying, during a press conference, acknowledged his daughter's health challenges, which included emotional fluctuations. He emphasized that she faced considerable pressure as the daughter of a prominent public figure and urged the public to allow her space for recovery.
In a controversial incident during Halloween in 2015, Leung Chai-yan was reported to have slapped her mother in public, further highlighting the strained family dynamics. Reports from that time indicated that she had been in a volatile emotional state.
Leung Chai-yan was born on September 11, 1991. She attended the German Swiss International School and later Wycombe Abbey School in the UK, graduating in 2010. She pursued law studies at the London School of Economics but dropped out in June 2013, returning to Hong Kong where her life became a focal point for media scrutiny.
In recent years, Leung Chai-yan had maintained a relatively low profile, occasionally sharing glimpses of her life on social media. Her Instagram account boasted over 177,000 followers, with her last post made on March 6, 2025, where she expressed feeling very unwell and indicated she would return to social media in a few days.
The news of her death has elicited a wave of sympathy from the public, with many expressing their condolences on her last Instagram post, where she had shared her struggles. As the circumstances surrounding her death remain unclear, the community reflects on the pressures faced by those in the public eye and the importance of mental health awareness.
Leung Chai-yan's life was marked not only by her familial connections but also by her struggles with mental health, which she openly discussed on platforms like Facebook and Instagram. The tragic end to her life serves as a reminder of the complexities of mental health issues and the challenges that can accompany living in the public eye.
As investigations continue, the Leung family is left to navigate their grief amidst public scrutiny, raising questions about the support systems available for individuals dealing with mental health issues, especially those related to high-profile families.
