Murder of Mee Kuen Chong

Jemma Mitchell
A composite image of Mitchell following her arrest (left) and her victim Mee Kuen Chong
Born (1984-07-22) 22 July 1984
Australia
OccupationFormer osteopath
Criminal statusImprisoned
MotiveFinancial gain
ConvictionMurder
Criminal penaltyLife imprisonment with a minimum of 34 years
Details
VictimsMee Kuen Chong
CountryEngland
LocationsSalcombe, Devon
Date apprehended
6 July 2021

Mee Kuen Chong was a Malaysian woman living in London, who was murdered in 2021 by Jemma Mitchell. Mitchell killed her friend Chong (known as Deborah) at the latter's home in Wembley, following a disagreement over the withdrawal of an offer of financial help to fund a property renovation. Mitchell put Chong's decapitated body in a suitcase and drove 200 miles (320 km) to Devon to dispose of it in woodland. The case is notable for being the first trial with a murder conviction in England and Wales to have its sentencing phase televised, and the first televised sentencing of a woman in the UK. At the sentencing hearing, which took place at the Old Bailey in London on 28 October 2022, Mitchell was sentenced by presiding judge Richard Marks KC to life imprisonment with a minimum term of 34 years.