Billionaire’s body formally identified

The body of Chinese billionaire, Lam Kok, has been formally identified, nearly two months to the day after his death.

It was reported earlier this week that a body had been recovered from the Dordogne near the commune of Saint-Andre de Cubzac last Friday and although it was thought likely it was the billionaire’s remains, DNA testing was required to be sure.

Yesterday (19 February) Gyslain Rhéty, local commander of the gendarmerie in the Gironde told reporters that the body had been positively identified as Kok through DNA analysis reported Le Figaro.

It is two months to the day since Kok and all aboard a light helicopter were killed when the aircraft crashed into the Dordogne.

Kok, owner of the Hong Kong-based tea importers Brilliant Group, had just bought Château de la Rivière from James Grégoire who was piloting the helicopter at the time of the crash.

Also killed were Kok’s 12 year old son and an interpreter.

The body of the son was recovered by police divers at the scene the same day, the body of the interpreter Peng Wang was not recovered until 11 January and that of Grégoire until 30 January.

The investigation will now turn to what caused the crash.