Dr. Victor Chang, one of Australia’s most celebrated heart surgeons, became internationally renowned for his pioneering work in heart transplantation. Among other feats, he was instrumental in advancing cardiac surgery, and his groundbreaking contributions saved countless lives. Tragically, in 1991, Dr. Chang’s life was cut short when he was murdered in a botched kidnapping attempt.
The circumstances surrounding Dr. Victor Chang’s death have been the subject of much speculation, but what really happened that fateful day?
Early Life and Career
Victor Chang was born in Shanghai, China, in 1936, to Australian-born Chinese-British parents. He studied medicine at the University of Sydney, where his exceptional intellect and skills quickly became apparent. After completing his medical studies, he trained as a heart surgeon in London with British surgeon Aubrey York Mason later. Subsequently, Chang trained in the United States for two years at the Mayo Clinic, becoming chief resident. He eventually returned to Australia, where he joined the St Vincent’s Hospital in Sydney.
Dr. Chang’s work in heart transplantation was groundbreaking. On 8 April 1984, a team of doctors, headed by Dr. Chang, performed a heart transplant on 14-year-old Fiona Coote, making her the youngest heart transplant patient in Australia at the time. Under his guidance, the St Vincent’s heart transplant unit became one of the leading centers of its kind in the world. His reputation grew as he performed many successful transplants, conducted important research, and trained a generation of surgeons. His dedication to his patients and his skill as a surgeon made him one of Australia’s most respected and admired figures.
The Kidnapping and Murder
On July 4, 1991, Dr. Chang was shot and killed in the Sydney suburb of Mosman while heading to work. His body was found slumped in the gutter next to his Mercedes-Benz 500SL. His death was not a random act of violence but rather the result of a failed kidnapping/extortion attempt. Investigation revealed that two men of Malaysian origin, Chew Seng (Ah Sung) Liew and Choon Tee (Phillip) Lim, picked Chang at random from a magazine featuring Asians who had “made it good” in Australia.
In an attempt to force him to pull over, the duo ran their Toyota Corolla into Chang’s vehicle. They ended up getting into an argument with Chang, who refused to give them any money, so Liew fired the fatal shots. The first shot struck Chang near the right cheek and exited just below the right ear, while the fatal second shot, fired at point-blank range, entered the right temple and traveled through the brain. Dr. Victor Chang died almost immediately from his injuries.
The Trial
In the aftermath of Dr. Chang’s murder, a major investigation was launched. Ultimately, Chew Seng Liew pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 26 years in prison, with a non-parole period of 20 years. Choon Tee Lim, who denied his involvement and claimed he was unaware that Liew possessed a firearm, received a sentence of 18 to 24 years. Another man, Stanley Ng, had abandoned the extortion plot a day before the murder. Ng had previously attempted, without success, to detain Chang on two occasions in an effort to force him to hand over $3 million.
In exchange for his testimony, Ng was granted immunity. The prosecution argued that the plan had been to kidnap Chang, tie him up along with his family at their Clontarf home, and threaten to hang them in order to coerce Chang into withdrawing money from the bank. Supreme Court Judge John Slattery described the scheme as “an absurd, improbable plan, always doomed to failure.”
On 26 October 2009, Lim was granted parole. However, following public outcry and opposition from New South Wales Corrective Services Minister John Robertson, his release was postponed for further parole hearing. The New South Wales Supreme Court later ruled that the Parole Authority lacked the authority to reverse its earlier decision to grant parole. As a result, Lim was released from Parramatta Correctional Centre on 1 March 2010, into the custody of immigration officers. He was scheduled to be deported to Kuala Lumpur on 2 March, but the flight was canceled due to technical issues. Lim was eventually flown out of Australia on 3 March.
After serving 21 years in prison, Liew was granted parole. During his parole hearing, he offered a broad apology for his crime and expressed that his lengthy incarceration had positively impacted him. Although there was a brief objection from New South Wales Attorney-General Greg Smith, it was later withdrawn. Liew was released from prison on 12 October 2012 and was immediately transferred into immigration custody. The following day, he was deported back to Malaysia.
The Aftermath
Dr. Chang’s murder shocked the nation, and the impact of his death was deeply felt across Australia. He had been a symbol of excellence in medicine, and his loss was a blow not just to his family, but to the entire medical community. At the time of his death, Dr. Chang was one of Australia’s most highly regarded doctors, and his contributions to heart surgery were unparalleled. The country mourned the loss of a man who had dedicated his life to saving others.
In the wake of his death, there was a widespread outpouring of grief and tributes. Colleagues and patients alike remembered him as a compassionate, skilled, and driven individual. His legacy lived on through the medical research and the heart transplant programs he had pioneered. His work had saved many lives, and his dedication to the field inspired future generations of heart surgeons.
In addition to his medical legacy, Dr. Chang’s murder brought attention to the issue of criminality in Sydney. His murder highlighted the dangerous lengths to which criminals would go for money. While the murderers were ultimately brought to justice, the murder of Dr. Chang left a permanent scar on Australia’s medical community and the public consciousness. It also raised questions about the vulnerability of high-profile individuals and the risks they faced.
The Legacy of Dr. Victor Chang
Despite his tragic end, Dr. Victor Chang’s legacy continues to influence the field of heart surgery today. His contributions to cardiac transplantation and his pioneering efforts in the development of new surgical techniques have had a lasting impact on the field. After his death, the Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute was established in his honor. The institute focuses on advancing research into heart disease and improving treatments for patients worldwide.
Dr. Chang’s influence extends far beyond the operating room. His commitment to excellence, his compassion for patients, and his role as a mentor to future generations of surgeons remain integral parts of his legacy. Though his life was tragically cut short, the work he left behind continues to benefit millions of people around the world.
Conclusion
The murder of Dr. Victor Chang in 1991 was a senseless and tragic crime, driven by the greed of criminals who failed to recognize the immeasurable value of human life. His death left a deep wound in the Australian medical community, but his legacy endures through the groundbreaking work he left behind. While the perpetrators were brought to justice, the true tragedy lies in the loss of a brilliant man whose life was devoted to saving others. Dr. Victor Chang’s memory lives on, not just in the field of medicine but in the hearts of all those he helped during his lifetime.
Featured image: Madame Tussauds Sydney
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