22-4-2024 (SINGAPORE) The man allegedly linked to the murder of Singaporean architect Audrey Fang has been described by acquaintances as a well-traveled fitness enthusiast who frequently attended dance parties and music festivals abroad.
Mitchell Ong, 43, was identified on April 20 by Spanish media as a suspect in the case. He was arrested in his hotel room in Alicante, Spain, on April 16, just days after Fang’s body was discovered in a lorry park approximately 150km from where she was last seen alive in Xabia.
Those familiar with Ong paint a picture of a man with a penchant for luxury and a globetrotting lifestyle. An acquaintance who knew him from the gym they both frequented on Orchard Road recalled that Ong “likes to travel for business and raves.”
A check on Ong’s Instagram account revealed his attendance at several music festivals abroad between 2022 and 2024, with recent posts showing his travels across different parts of Europe, including a visit to Alicante on April 4 – the same day Fang traveled alone to Xabia.
Standing at 1.88m tall, according to his Instagram profile, Ong was described by another gym acquaintance as an “awkward” person who sported expensive sneakers and cared a lot about his appearance.
While some business associates portrayed Ong as a prompt and reliable client, others had a different experience working with him. A former director at an IT store Ong co-founded claimed that their business relationship soured within a year, with Ong threatening him before he left Singapore.
“He is ambitious and organized, but the bad thing about him is his temper,” the former director, who wished to be known as John, added.
Ong, who was married in 2012, had his hands in various business ventures, including an online IT store and an insurance company based in Goldhill Shopping Centre, where he is still listed as a director.
According to his LinkedIn profile, which has since been removed, Ong worked as a private wealth management specialist since 2011, having previously held roles as a financial services consultant and financial adviser.
Ong is said to have studied economics at the National University of Singapore and attended a popular all-boys secondary school and one of the top junior colleges in the city-state.
Spanish media reports have suggested an “economic motive” behind Fang’s murder, citing sources close to the investigation who claimed the 39-year-old architect had made recent financial transfers to an unidentified third party.
Fang’s body was found on April 10, with reports indicating she had been stabbed more than 30 times. Her mobile phone was reportedly found among Ong’s possessions when Spanish authorities searched his hotel room.
As the investigation continues, the details emerging about Ong’s lifestyle and business dealings cast a spotlight on the suspect’s background, potentially shedding light on the circumstances surrounding Fang’s tragic death.
