According to SinChew, a China Chinese influencer with more than a million followers disappeared after travelling to the Philippines three years ago, allegedly after being persuaded to make the trip by a close friend.
Her family reportedly paid hundreds of thousands of US dollars in ransom in an attempt to secure her release.
But she never came home.
The woman, known online as “Athena Liya”, was reportedly identified as Kong Limei. Her case has resurfaced after a major breakthrough in an international kidnapping investigation, with the alleged mastermind of a cross-border criminal group recently repatriated to China.
Authorities subsequently confirmed that Kong had been killed, bringing an end to a three-year search that had left her family desperate for answers.
A Trip That Never Happened the Way She Expected
According to information cited by Chinese media, Kong had previously participated in the 2021 Miss World Macau regional competition, where she reportedly finished third.
In late May 2023, she was allegedly invited to travel to the Philippines by her friend Li Yifei.
Li reportedly told Kong that she was going through a breakup and wanted to travel abroad to clear her mind. She allegedly invited Kong several times and promised a comfortable trip involving a luxury hotel, seaside photography and sightseeing.
Kong eventually agreed and travelled to the Philippines.
But according to the case information, the trip quickly took a horrifying turn.
After Kong boarded the flight, Li allegedly claimed that she had something urgent to attend to and cancelled her own trip.
Kong, however, continued to the Philippines alone and was allegedly handed over to local contacts linked to a criminal group.
Family Paid a Reported US$800,000 Ransom
When Kong suddenly disappeared, her family began desperately searching for her.
During the investigation, various rumours circulated online, including claims that she had been trafficked to Cambodia.
However, as the investigation progressed, some of these claims were reportedly believed to have been deliberately fabricated by members of the criminal group to mislead Kong's family and divert attention from the actual investigation.
In an attempt to save her, Kong's family reportedly paid US$800,000 in ransom.
But despite receiving the money, the alleged kidnappers did not release her as promised.
The family was left without their daughter and without certainty about what had happened to her.
Major Breakthrough Three Years Later
A significant breakthrough reportedly came on July 20 this year, when Liu Hanwen, identified as Liu Mou Wen in reports, an alleged key figure in the cross-border kidnapping organisation, was extradited from the United States to China.
With a major suspect back in Chinese custody, investigators were able to uncover more information about Kong's fate.
Authorities ultimately confirmed that Kong had been murdered and that her body had been abandoned.
For her family, the discovery finally provided an answer to a question they had been asking for three years although it was an answer no family would ever want to receive.
The Friend at the Centre of the Investigation
Another key figure in the case is Li Yifei, the woman allegedly responsible for luring Kong to the Philippines.
According to reports, Li had presented herself as a wealthy socialite and allegedly spent time building a close relationship with Kong.
After gaining Kong's trust, she reportedly used the excuse of travelling abroad to persuade her to go to the Philippines.
Following Kong's disappearance, Li allegedly deleted her social media accounts and severed connections with mutual friends.
Her subsequent explanations to Kong's family were also reportedly inconsistent, raising further suspicion.
Li is currently believed to remain overseas and has not yet been apprehended. Any criminal responsibility on her part remains subject to further investigation and judicial determination.
Another woman allegedly linked to the recruitment operation, identified as Li Na and reportedly named Chen Yuxuan, was said to have been arrested in South Korea as early as September 2024.
A Tragic Warning About Online Trust
The case has drawn attention not only because of Kong's public profile, but also because of the alleged betrayal at the heart of the case.
The woman who reportedly persuaded her to make the trip was someone she knew and trusted.
What began as an invitation to accompany a friend on a holiday allegedly ended with Kong disappearing, her family paying a huge ransom and, ultimately, the confirmation of her death.
The investigation remains ongoing, with authorities continuing to pursue individuals allegedly connected to the cross-border criminal network.
For Kong's family, however, the 3 year mystery has finally been answered at an unimaginable cost.
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