Shenzhen police said on Friday that three suspects have been arrested in connection with the slaying of a Hong Kong teacher who had been missing for more than three weeks.

The Shenzhen Public Security Bureau's Nanshan branch posted a statement on its micro blog saying that the three were taken into custody on April 8 on suspicion of killing 60-year-old Hilary Bower. They include Bower's girlfriend, a woman identified by her surname Xu.

Xu, 38, had lived at times with Bower and been involved with him for more than 17 years, said the police. She is suspected of killing him with the help of two men, a 28-year-old surnamed Sun and a 23-year-old surnamed Liu, both from Xu's native city of Xianning, Hubei province.

The victim, a UK citizen and permanent resident of Hong Kong, taught English at Hong Kong Polytechnic University since 1996. He was reported missing after going to Shenzhen via the Lo Wu checkpoint on March 22.

Police believe that Bower went to an apartment he rented for Xu in Nanshan district and was killed and dismembered there. Xu surrendered to police in Dongguan on April 7, according to Hong Kong's Chinese-language Oriental Daily newspaper.

Various media have reported that police on the mainland are investigating whether Bower's death had anything to do with a 9 million yuan ($1.39 million) apartment in Shekou he had sold.

Hong Kong police said Bower's other mainland girlfriend reported him missing on March 30. The police confirmed on Tuesday that the Shenzhen Public Security Bureau had told them Bower had been killed on March 22.

The British Consulate-General Hong Kong is aware of the arrest of three suspects. A representative of the UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office stated earlier that they are providing support to the family and will remain in close contact with local authorities.

Hong Kong Polytechnic University, also made aware of Bower's death by Hong Kong police, said that it will provide all necessary support and assistance to his family and counseling to colleagues and students.

Chai Hua in Shenzhen contributed to this story.

stushadow@chinadailyhk.com