7-8-2023 (HONG KONG) The husband of late Hong Kong pop celebrity Coco Lee, Canadian businessman Bruce Rockowitz, is planning to turn to the Coroner’s Court to seek an inquest into the cause of her death. The move comes in response to circulating rumors that he was somehow responsible for her decision to end her life.
Coco Lee, a renowned singer, died on July 5 at Queen Mary Hospital in Pok Fu Lam after being admitted following a suicide attempt on July 2. Her death prompted grief and anger among fans, and during her cremation on August 1 at Cape Collinson Crematorium in Chai Wan, some mainland Chinese fans confronted Rockowitz, calling him a “murderer.”
Despite the cause of death being disclosed to Rockowitz and the Lee family by Queen Mary Hospital, rumors persisted, particularly in China. In an effort to clear his name and dispel these unfounded rumors, Rockowitz intends to seek an inquest to find out and publicly disclose the reasons behind Coco Lee’s tragic passing.
Suicide is one of the 20 types of death reportable to the Coroner’s Court, but this does not automatically guarantee that an inquest will be held. Interested parties, including the deceased’s family, can apply for an inquest to be conducted through the Court of First Instance of the High Court.
Lawyers familiar with the process suggested that an inquest might only be considered if there were any special circumstances surrounding the death. In the case of Coco Lee, unless there were indications of medical malpractice, no suspicious circumstances appear to be present.
Rockowitz, who had a 20-year relationship with Lee before they were married in 2011, is determined to get to the truth. The couple had no children and lived together in a luxurious Hong Kong penthouse at the Four Seasons Place serviced apartments in the International Finance Centre in Central.
While the decision to pursue an inquest is within Rockowitz’s rights, it is also possible that Lee’s sisters or mother may prefer to protect the privacy of the family and not wish to have an inquest, considering the scrutiny and invasive nature that such proceedings often entail.
The late Coco Lee achieved global fame in 2001 when she performed “A Love Before Time” at the Oscars, making her the first and only artist of her ethnicity to perform at the prestigious event. As her family seeks answers and closure, they continue to mourn the loss of a talented and beloved artist who made a significant impact in the world of music and entertainment.
