Victor Chang’s reason for death was tragic.
He tragically succumbed to a fatal gunshot wound during an attempted extortion, which abruptly ended the illustrious career of this esteemed Australian cardiac surgeon.
Dr. Chang achieved groundbreaking feats, including pioneering heart-lung transplantation and performing Australia’s first successful heart transplant.
His accomplishments extended beyond the operating room, involving the inception of an artificial heart valve and ongoing research towards an artificial heart.
Regrettably, in 1991, he unexpectedly lost his life.
During his tenure at St. Vincent’s Hospital in Sydney, Dr. Chang and his team achieved remarkable success, with an outstanding 92% success rate in over 266 heart transplants, 22 transplants, and six single lung transplants over seven years.
His daughter Vanessa recalls his unwavering dedication, especially in challenging situations like performing heart surgery on young patients.
In recognition of his contributions, Dr. Chang was honored with the Companion of the Order of Australia in 1986, the highest distinction in the country.
Despite this recognition, he remained focused on advancing cardiovascular research and addressing the scarcity of organ donors.
A significant stride towards this objective was his team’s prosthetic heart valve initiative.
Who was Victor Chang?
Victor Peter Chang, a renowned Australian cardiac surgeon, was born on November 21, 1936.
Of Chinese descent, he played a pivotal role in advancing heart transplantation in the country, establishing himself as one of its pioneering figures.
His untimely demise in 1991, which shocked Australia, is considered one of the most notorious in the nation’s history.
Chang received a state funeral before being posthumously awarded the People’s Choice Award for Australian of the Century 1999.
After completing his medical studies at the University of Sydney, he worked at St. Vincent’s Hospital.
He then underwent surgical training in the UK and the US before returning to Australia.
He founded the nation’s leading lung and heart transplant facility at St. Vincent’s Hospital, the National Cardiac Transplant Unit.
Chang spearheaded the development of the prosthetic heart valve, and his team carried out heart transplants with a high success rate.
His contributions to international relations between Australia and China and medical science earned him the title Companion of the Order of Australia in 1986.
Two young men murdered Chang in 1991 after a failed extortion attempt.
One of his numerous contributions to society is the Victor Chang Foundation, which he established.
Following his passing, the Victor Chang Lowy Packer Building was established by St. Vincent’s Hospital, in addition to the establishment of the Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute.
Victor Chang’s demise
Chang suffered two gunshot wounds to the head in the early hours of July 4, 1991, during an attempted extortion.
His lifeless body was found sprawled in the gutter behind his sleek Mercedes-Benz 500SL in the Mosman area of Sydney.
Chew Seng (Ah Sung) Liew and Choon Tee (Phillip) Lim, two Malaysian individuals, randomly targeted Chang after seeing him featured in a magazine as a successful Asian in Australia.
They coerced Chang into stopping his car by intentionally crashing their Toyota Corolla into it.
Following a dispute over money, Liew fatally shot Chang with the second bullet, fired at close range, entering the right temple and piercing through his brain.
The first shot passed through the right ear and exited the right cheek.
Police detectives concluded that the death was the result of an amateurish performance after initially suspecting the involvement of Triad syndicates.
Liew, the Perpetrator, Apprehended and Sentenced to 26 Years
After abolishing capital punishment in 1985, New South Wales sentenced Liew to 26 years in jail with a 20-year non-parole period after he pleaded guilty.
Lim, who denied knowledge of Liew possessing a pistol, received an 18-to-24-year sentence.
He attempted to extort Chang twice for $3 million.
The prosecution alleged they planned to abduct Chang, restrain him and his family at his Clontarf residence, and threaten to harm them to coerce him into withdrawing money from the bank.
Spreme Court Judge John Slattery ruled, “It was an absurd, improbable plan, always doomed to failure.”
Lim was granted parole on October 26, 2009.
The parole hearing was rescheduled, delaying his release.
Public outrage and objections from Minister John Robertson ensued.
Additionally, the New South Wales Supreme Court overturned the ruling due to a procedural error made by the Parole Authority.
Immigration authorities awaited Lim outside Parramatta Correctional Centre to transport him on March 1, 2010.
The deportation flight to Kuala Lumpur on March 2 was canceled due to technical issues.
Nevertheless, on March 3, he was airlifted out of Australia.
After spending 21 years in incarceration, Liew was granted parole.
Moreover, during his parole hearing, he expressed remorse for his crime and acknowledged that his lengthy prison sentence had contributed to his personal growth.
On October 12, 2012, NSW Attorney-General Greg Smith revoked his earlier statement and released Liew from prison with immigration agents.
He returned to Malaysia the following day.
