South Korean plastic surgery clinic sued over death of Hong Kong textile fortune heiress

KUALA LUMPUR (March 6): A South Korean plastic surgery clinic is being sued over the death of Hong Kong textile fortune heiress Bonnie Evita Law by her family, according to a South China Morning Post (SCMP) report on Wednesday.

The 34-year-old granddaughter of late textile tycoon Law Ting-pong who founded the Bossini clothing chain underwent liposuction and breast augmentation procedures a month ago in Seoul’s upscale Gangnam district.

The plastic surgery was part of a birthday celebration for Bonnie, but she fell into a coma at the clinic and was transferred to a hospital where she was pronounced dead.

The report said Bonnie was one of the three children of Raymond Law Ka-kui, the late tycoon’s youngest son and a property investor who is involved in some of the city’s major development projects.

She is survived by a brother and a sister, Queenie Rosita Law, who was the victim of a high-profile kidnapping in 2015.

SCMP said Bonnie's husband, Danny Chi, would file a lawsuit in a South Korean court this week on behalf of the family, for unspecified damages against the Ollim Plastic Surgery dermatological clinic, its two doctors and a nurse for alleged manslaughter and forging pre-surgery documents.

He had earlier said the case would be brought in a Hong Kong court.

According to SCMP, Chi, who was married for 10 years to Law, with whom he has a seven-year-old son, is seeking damages including for the loss of one-third of his father-in-law’s estate upon his wife’s death and substantial annual income received through her.

“Her death was unfortunate, unnecessary and unlawful. It was solely as a result of their gross negligence, greed and incompetence,” Chi said.

“Nothing can bring my wife back. It’s to raise awareness for others. I don’t want the same tragedy to happen for other families.”

SCMP reported that Seoul police have launched a criminal investigation into Law’s death but the website of the clinic indicated that it was still open for business and was accepting appointments for Kim Sung-il, the main surgeon involved.

Neither the Korean National Police Agency nor the clinic responded to SCMP's request for comments.

SCMP cited Chi saying his father-in-law had received a WeChat message from Kim, begging for forgiveness.