A Spanish court has ordered that Mitchell Ong, the Singaporean man accused in the killing of Audrey Fang, will remain in pre-trial detention for an additional two years, as investigations into the case near completion.
The decision, reported by Spanish media on Tuesday, March 31, comes as authorities cited what the presiding judge described as "clear and consistent" evidence pointing to Ong's alleged involvement in the crime.
The ruling also underscored concerns that Ong could attempt to flee if released, given his lack of ties to Spain and the severity of the potential sentence he faces.
Under Spanish law, pre-trial detention is typically capped at two years but can be extended if proceedings are not concluded within that timeframe. In this case, the court deemed continued detention necessary and proportionate, noting both the seriousness of the charges and the advanced stage of the investigation.
Ong's defence had sought a more lenient arrangement, proposing alternatives such as regular court reporting or electronic monitoring. However, the judge rejected these measures, concluding that they would not sufficiently mitigate the risk of flight.
The extension follows a request by Fang's family earlier this year, urging the court to keep Ong in custody as the initial detention period approached its expiry.
The case stems from the death of 39-year-old Audrey Fang, whose body was discovered on April 10, 2024, in a field in the Spanish town of Abanilla. She had been travelling alone at the time. The authorities reported that she had suffered multiple stab wounds. Ong, 43, was arrested less than a week later.
Details that emerged during earlier court proceedings painted a complex picture of their relationship. Friends of Fang told the court that she had developed romantic feelings for Ong after meeting him through a social platform. They alleged, however, that Ong's primary interest lay in financial dealings.
Court disclosures revealed that Ong had previously sold Fang investment-linked insurance policies during his time as an agent. He was also listed as the sole beneficiary of her Central Provident Fund savings, reportedly amounting to nearly half a million Singapore dollars.
If convicted of murder, Ong could face a lengthy prison term under Spanish law.
