Hong Kong police reclassify Central assault as murder after 41-year-old man dies five days later

Hong Kong police on Thursday (November 12) reclassified a wounding case in Central as murder. A 41-year-old foreign man was found collapsed with head injuries outside Connaught Place at about 8:58 p.m. on Saturday, November 7, and was taken to Queen Mary Hospital in an unconscious state. He was certified dead on the afternoon of November 12, five days after the incident. Initial investigation found he was suspected of having been assaulted with fists and feet before the attackers fled.

Two men arrested; case already in court

Police arrested two foreign men, aged 44 and 52, in Kowloon City and Wan Chai respectively on November 8 on suspicion of wounding. The case was mentioned in Eastern Magistrates' Courts on November 10. Police have not announced murder charges. The Central District Crime Squad is leading the investigation.

Cause of death to be determined by post-mortem

Police said a post-mortem examination will be conducted to determine the cause of death, and appealed for witnesses or anyone with information to call investigators on 3660 1218. Local media including the South China Morning Post and The Standard identified the victim as a 41-year-old Filipino private driver surnamed Mallanao; police have not confirmed the victim's nationality or identity, nor the nationalities of the two arrested men.

Sources: Hong Kong Government press release; HKPinoyTV; Hong Kong OFW.