Anita Mui’s Ashes Reported Missing for Nearly Three Months as Family Appeals for Public Help

The ashes of late Hong Kong Cantopop superstar Anita Mui are suspected to have been stolen, prompting an urgent appeal from her family and renewed public attention. On October 10, 2026, the Anita Mui International Fan Club published a statement on behalf of her family, revealing that the urn containing Mui’s ashes had been found missing on July 18 at the Hall of Universal Peace at Po Lin Monastery on Hong Kong’s Lantau Island. The family reported the matter to police, but the urn had still not been recovered nearly three months later. Hong Kong police said the case remained under investigation and that no arrests had been made.

1. Fans Discover the Missing Urn During a Visit

According to the family’s statement, Mui’s ashes were placed at the Hall of Universal Peace at Po Lin Monastery following her death in 2003.

On July 18 this year, fans visiting the site to pay their respects noticed that the screws on the plaque covering the niche where her ashes were kept appeared to have come loose. The urn that should have been inside was missing.

The fans immediately informed Mui’s family, who subsequently contacted the police.

Nearly three months later, the urn had still not been found. On October 10, the family made the matter public through the Anita Mui International Fan Club, appealing to the wider community for information that might help locate the missing remains.

On October 11, Hong Kong police told local media that they had received a report on July 18 concerning property suspected of being missing from a temple in Ngong Ping, Lantau Island. Following an initial investigation, the case was classified as a request for police assistance and referred to the Lantau District Crime Squad.

Police confirmed that no one had been arrested and said they would continue to liaise with the person who filed the report and other relevant individuals.

As the investigation continues, the precise circumstances surrounding the missing urn have yet to be established. The disappearance has raised suspicions of theft, but the full facts remain subject to police inquiries.

2. Family Appeals for Information From Visitors and Local Residents

In its public appeal, Mui’s family asked anyone who had visited the Hall of Universal Peace or the surrounding Po Lin Monastery area to consider whether they had seen anything suspicious.

The family is particularly interested in information from people who visited the area between early 2026 and mid-July, before the urn was discovered missing.

Anyone who noticed suspicious individuals or people carrying a container resembling an urn is being asked to contact the authorities. The family also hopes that visitors who took photographs or videos in the area may have recorded details relevant to the investigation.

Drivers who travelled near the monastery before July 18 have also been encouraged to check their dashcam footage for potentially useful information.

For the family, the search is about more than recovering a missing object. It is also connected to their wish to honour Mui’s memory and allow her remains to rest undisturbed.

The appeal asks members of the public to provide genuine information while avoiding unverified claims or speculation about what happened.

3. News Emerges on What Would Have Been Mui’s 63rd Birthday

The case attracted particular attention because the family’s appeal was released on October 10, the date of Mui’s 63rd birthday.

Born on October 10, 1963, Anita Mui was one of Hong Kong’s most influential singers and performers. Known for her distinctive stage presence, versatility and enduring catalogue of songs, she became a major figure in the Cantonese music industry and Hong Kong entertainment.

Mui died of cervical cancer on December 30, 2003, at the age of 40. Her music and artistic legacy have continued to attract admirers, and fans have visited places associated with her life to pay tribute to her.

The disclosure that her ashes were missing came as fans marked what would have been her 63rd birthday. The news prompted sadness and concern among those who continue to remember her.

For many admirers, the incident raises not only questions about the whereabouts of the urn but also concerns about the dignity and privacy owed to the deceased and their families.

4. Previous Ashes Theft Cases in Hong Kong Draw Renewed Attention

The disappearance has also brought renewed attention to earlier cases involving stolen cremated remains in Hong Kong.

In 2025, several cases of ashes theft were reported at a private columbarium in Sha Tin. The cases included the remains of Lau Kar-leung, the late martial arts choreographer, director and actor. Investigations into the incidents included allegations of extortion, drawing public attention to security arrangements at facilities where ashes are kept.

However, no publicly established evidence has confirmed a connection between the earlier cases and the disappearance of Mui’s urn. Claims circulating online about criminal groups, ransom demands or specific methods used in the latest case should therefore be treated cautiously unless confirmed by the authorities.

The incident has also highlighted the importance of security measures at columbaria and religious facilities, including regular inspections, secure storage arrangements and prompt reporting when signs of tampering are discovered.

5. Investigation Continues as Family Waits for Answers

As of October 11, 2026, Mui’s ashes had not been recovered. Police had not announced a breakthrough, and no arrests had been made.

The family is urging anyone with relevant information to contact the authorities through official channels. Photographs, videos and other potentially useful records should be preserved in their original form, including any available date and time information, rather than edited or circulated with unverified interpretations.

Members of the public are also being asked to respect the family’s privacy and avoid spreading unsupported allegations.

Nearly 23 years after Anita Mui’s death, her music and artistic legacy continue to resonate with audiences. The reported disappearance of her ashes has brought fresh distress to her family and fans, who hope the urn can be recovered soon. Police inquiries are continuing, and the circumstances surrounding the case remain to be established.