Sister of deceased actress identifies body; former star had been surviving on welfare

Lam Kit-hing wearing a gray windbreaker is photographed entering the mortuary to identify the body of her younger sister, the former actress Yammie Lam. Screengrab via Apple Daily video.
Lam Kit-hing wearing a gray windbreaker is photographed entering the mortuary to identify the body of her younger sister, the former actress Yammie Lam. Screengrab via Apple Daily video.

The older sister of an actress who was found dead at her home in Stanley over the weekend visited the mortuary yesterday to claim the body of the late star.

Yammie Lam, 55, was found in the bathroom of her home at the Ma Hang Estate Stanley on Saturday morning. Police say there were no apparent wounds, no suicide note, and no evidence of foul play.

Lam’s elder sister, Lam Kit-hing — flanked by family and friends — did not speak to reporters as she entered the Victoria Public Mortuary in Kennedy Town, and spent about an hour inside.

Apple Daily reports that when asked by journalists  if she had anything to say about funeral arrangements for the late star, she replied “I have nothing to say” and left.

Tributes have been pouring in for the actress who during her prime was referred to as “the beauty of five-station hill,” referring to Broadcast Drive in Kowloon Tong, which was home to the city’s five major broadcasters during the ’70s and ’80s.

Lam had a life fraught with ups and downs; her career peaked in the ’80s after starring in a number of TV shows and movies, and she rubbed shoulders with the likes of Maggie Cheung (In the Mood for Love), and entertainer Andy Lau before she withdrew from the spotlight in the ’90s.

According to HK01, she filed for bankruptcy in 2005 due to long-term unemployment and was relying on government welfare.

In 2013, a Hong Kong magazine published a video in which Lam alleged she was raped by two prominent figures in the Hong Kong entertainment industry during a trip to Singapore, but the names were bleeped out.

The church that Lam regularly attends, St Anne’s Church in Stanley, announced yesterday that they would hold a memorial mass for her at 8pm on Friday, Oriental Daily reports. Lam had converted to Catholicism, was baptized in March 2013, and given the Christian name Maria.

According to Ming Pao, actress Candice Yu, the executive secretary of the Hong Kong Performing Artistes Guild (HKPAG), called Lam a good friend, and told reporters that the guild were hoping to get in touch with Lam’s family and provide them with any help they need.

The newspaper also reported that TVB, the network where Lam first shot to fame, announced that they would be airing some of Lam’s greatest hits, including the TV show Looking Back in Anger and The Mamasan this weekend.

A fan from the mainland leaves flowers outside the entrance of Yammie Lam's apartment block. Screengrab via Apple Daily video.
A fan from the mainland leaves flowers outside the entrance of Yammie Lam’s apartment block. Screengrab via Apple Daily video.

Apple Daily reporters standing outside Lam’s flat saw a few fans leave flowers by the entrance of her apartment block.

Meanwhile, a fan club for Lam have warned people not to fall for online crowdfunding scams purporting to raise funds for Lam and her family.

The club posted on their Weibo account on Sunday: “We will not be launching any fundraising activities for the time being. Beware of being deceived, if we need the funds, we will announce it.”

No one from Lam’s immediate family have come out to publicly comment on any fundraising efforts.



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