Athena Liya, 23, the second runner-up of the 2021 Miss World Macau pageant, disappeared for three years before authorities confirmed that she had been killed after allegedly being lured abroad.
According to HK01, the star from mainland China disappeared three years ago after traveling to the Philippines. Her family reportedly even paid a ransom of $800,000, but Athena was never released. Details of the case have only begun to emerge after the alleged mastermind of a transnational criminal group was arrested in the United States and extradited to China.
According to Sohu News, information from the investigation identified Athena Liya’s real name as Kong Limei. In late May 2023, she accepted an invitation from her close friend Li Yifei to travel overseas. Li reportedly told her that she had recently gone through a breakup, was feeling emotionally distressed and wanted to visit the Philippines to relax.
However, after Kong Limei boarded the plane, Li Yifei suddenly canceled her own trip, reportedly claiming that an unexpected matter had come up. Kong then traveled to the Philippines alone, where she was allegedly handed over to several local individuals.
After losing contact with Kong, her family began searching for her everywhere. According to Sinchew, a criminal group allegedly hacked Kong’s social media accounts and deceived her family by claiming that she had accumulated huge gambling debts at a casino. The group reportedly demanded a ransom of up to $800,000. Her relatives were extremely worried and sold assets to raise the money, transferring the ransom in installments. However, after receiving the payments, the group allegedly failed to fulfill its promise to release her.
During that period, rumors circulated online that Kong had been sold to Cambodia and had even been given the alleged label of “Miss No. 66” at a Cambodian prostitution operation. However, as the investigation expanded, those claims were reportedly found to be misleading information deliberately spread by criminals in an attempt to distract the family and the public.
A major breakthrough in the case came on July 20 this year, when Liu Hanwen, the alleged mastermind of the transnational kidnapping network, was extradited from the United States to mainland China. After the key suspect was brought into custody, police confirmed that Kong Limei had been killed and that her body had been disposed of.
According to information released by police, Liu Hanwen was born in 1980 and had operated overseas for many years. He was allegedly involved in forging identification documents from countries including Germany and the Philippines while using multiple aliases, including Victor Lao, Derrick Wong and Nikita Nikitas. Authorities believe he used different identities and nationalities to apply for U.S. visas and permanent residency in an effort to evade law enforcement. Liu Hanwen is accused of organizing a transnational kidnapping network for years and allegedly being behind more than 10 kidnapping cases.
Another important figure in the case is Li Yifei, who is believed to have been responsible for luring Kong Limei overseas. According to investigators, Li allegedly cultivated the image of a wealthy heiress and deliberately developed a close friendship with Kong to gain her trust. She then reportedly used the excuse of traveling abroad to relax and have a break to persuade her friend to go to the Philippines.
After Kong Limei lost contact with her family, Li Yifei allegedly quickly deleted her social media accounts and severed connections with mutual friends. When Kong’s family questioned her, her statements reportedly contained several inconsistencies. Li is currently believed to be overseas and has not been arrested. Her specific role and legal responsibility remain under investigation.
Another woman allegedly linked to the operation, identified as Li Na and reportedly named Chen Yuxuan, was allegedly arrested in South Korea in September 2024.
Before her death, Athena Liya was the second runner-up of the 2021 Miss World Macau pageant and had become a prominent social media personality with millions of followers. Her sudden disappearance had previously sparked widespread public concern.
Sources: Ngoisao