23/03/2017
Hong Kong, a city renowned for its vibrant energy, bustling streets, and iconic skyline, also holds a darker, more sinister past. While many associate its taxis with efficient city transit, the story of Lam Kor-wan, also known as "The Jars Murderer," reveals a terrifying chapter where the familiar yellow cabs became instruments of unimaginable horror. This article delves into the life and crimes of Lam Kor-wan, shedding light on the disturbing events that shook the city.
The Man Behind the Wheel: Lam Kor-wan's Early Life
Born Lam Kwok-yue on May 22, 1955, in British Hong Kong, Lam's early life was marked by familial discord and behavioural issues. From 1957 to 1962, his father's work took the family to Brunei, where Lam lived with his mother, concubine, and half-siblings. Upon returning to Hong Kong in 1962, the family settled in Kwun Tong. Despite a promising start in elementary school, Lam's academic performance declined when he began helping in his father's motorcycle store. This period also saw a deterioration in his relationship with his father, who frequently scolded and rejected him. By 1973, Lam was expelled from his home after an argument. His troubled path continued, leading to an arrest for threatening a woman with a knife and inappropriate touching. Following a period of psychiatric treatment, he was discharged and temporarily renamed Lam Yau-keung. Later, around the age of 19, his family noted his disturbing interest in female flesh, culminating in an incident where he was caught peeping at his sister.
A Cab Driver's License, A New Identity
In 1978, Lam obtained a taxi driver's license and officially changed his name to Lam Kor-wan. He began working as a night-time taxi driver around 1980. This period also saw a sudden interest in photography, leading him to join a photography club and hone his skills. His mother observed significant changes in his behaviour, including a refusal to change clothes, bathe, and a general state of depression. These shifts in behaviour, however, were a prelude to the horrific acts he was about to commit.
The Jars Murderer: A Reign of Terror
Lam Kor-wan's taxi became a mobile crime scene. He would pick up female passengers, strangle them with electrical wire, and take them to his family home. There, he would dismember their bodies. His chilling moniker, "The Jars Murderer," originated from the police discovery that he had hoarded his victims' sexual organs in Tupperware containers. A keen photographer, Lam meticulously documented his crimes, taking pictures and videos of his victims, and even filming himself engaging in necrophilia with his fourth victim. He operated under the cover of his night shifts, dismembering bodies in his family home during the day while his brother, who shared the bedroom, remained unaware. Lam's brother was initially a suspect, but investigations later confirmed Lam acted alone. The dismembered remains were disposed of via his taxi across Hong Kong Island and the New Territories, with all victims' remains eventually being located.
The Victims: A Chronicle of Brutality
Lam Kor-wan's heinous crimes claimed the lives of at least four women:
| Victim's Name | Age | Circumstances of Discovery |
|---|---|---|
| Chan Fung-lan | 22 | Body found in seven separate pieces in the Shing Mun River, New Territories. |
| Chan Wan-kit | 31 | Body found in a rice bag near Tai Hang Road, Hong Kong Island. |
| Leung Sau-wan | 29 | Body found in a rice bag near Tai Hang Road, Hong Kong Island. |
| Leung Wai-sum | 17 | Body found in a rice bag near Tai Hang Road, Hong Kong Island. |
Chan Fung-lan: The First Known Victim
On February 3, 1982, 22-year-old nightclub dancer Chan Fung-lan entered Lam's taxi outside the Chinese Palace Nightclub And Restaurant. After a drive to Kwun Tong, Lam took her to his home, retrieved an electrical cord, and strangled her in the car. He hid her body under the living room sofa. The following day, he used Chan's wallet to purchase an electric saw. He then stripped her body, took photographs, and dismembered her into seven pieces, a process documented in the video "Serious Secrets." Her sexual organs were preserved in rice wine, and the body was wrapped and bagged before being washed into the Shing Mun River by heavy rain.
Chan Wan-kit: The Trade Cashier
On May 29, 1982, 31-year-old trade cashier Chan Wan-kit was picked up by Lam. She was handcuffed and strangled with an electric cord. Lam used a surgical scalpel to dismember her, removing her breasts and pubic area for preservation. The remaining body parts were wrapped, bagged, and disposed of on a slope near Tai Hang Road. The dismemberment was also recorded in the video "A Serious Secret."
Leung Sau-wan: The Street Cleaner
On June 17, 1982, 29-year-old street cleaner Leung Sau-wan entered Lam's taxi. She was murdered shortly after. Lam took her body home to photograph and video the dismemberment, a process he called "Operation Rainy Night." He used the camcorder's selfie function to record his actions, allowing for more meticulous dismemberment. In a particularly disturbing act, Lam reportedly tasted his victim's flesh but ultimately refrained due to feeling sick. Her limbs were left on Tai Hang Road.
Leung Wai-sum: The School Student
In July 1982, 17-year-old Saint Andrews School student Leung Wai-sum entered Lam's taxi after attending a party. She went missing, causing distress to her family and school. Lam confessed to handcuffing her, strangling her with an electric cord after a conversation about her life and future, and then taking her body home to rape and dismember it.
The Contrast: Uber Taxi's Modern Approach
In stark contrast to the dark history associated with traditional taxi services in Hong Kong, ride-sharing platforms like Uber have emerged, offering a modern and often safer alternative. A recent campaign by Uber Taxi, featuring martial arts actor Louis Koo, highlights the challenges of traditional street-hailing. The campaign cleverly uses the double meaning of "Kung Fu" (effort) to illustrate the struggle of finding a taxi versus the ease of e-hailing with Uber.
Special, the creative agency behind the campaign, collaborated with local partners, Kung Fu specialist director Adam Liu, and stunt coordinator Jack Wong to ensure an authentic representation of martial arts. Special Managing Director Lauren Portelli commented, "Bringing together a hybrid team of our Australian brains trust, with incredible local partners, helped us create an idea that truly felt Hong Kong." The campaign filmed in Causeway Bay aims to showcase how Uber Taxi allows users to bypass the obstacles of street hailing.
Creative Directors Sarah Parris & Dan O’Connell added, "Martial arts films are experiencing a bit of a renaissance in Hong Kong cinema at the moment, and we wanted to make something that felt true to the genre." Head of Marketing at Uber Taxi, Toga Leung, stated, "At Uber Taxi, we are dedicated to providing an effortless experience for the people of Hong Kong." The campaign spans various media and includes a promotional giveaway of HK $1,000,000 in discounts.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Who played Lam Kor-wan in the film "Dr. Lamb"?
Lam Kor-wan was portrayed by actor Simon Yam in the 1992 film "Dr. Lamb."
Q: What was Lam Kor-wan's nickname?
Lam Kor-wan was infamously known as "The Jars Murderer."
Q: How did Lam Kor-wan kill his victims?
Lam Kor-wan typically strangled his victims with electrical wire.
Q: Where did Lam Kor-wan dispose of the bodies?
He disposed of the bodies in various locations across Hong Kong Island and the New Territories, often via his taxi.
Q: What made Lam Kor-wan's crimes particularly gruesome?
His crimes were particularly gruesome due to the dismemberment of the bodies and the preservation of sexual organs in containers, earning him his notorious nickname.
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