Hong Kong  - A decorator accused of killing a family of four in a slaughter that shocked Hong Kong appeared in court Thursday, charged with murder.

Xu Shengqi, 42, from mainland China is accused of killing his cousin Tam Shing-fai, 43; Tam's wife, Tong Yan-yee, 34; and their two daughters, 7 and 9.

The bodies of the family were found Tuesday, bound with wires and cables and buried in a 1.6-metre pit covered in cement in a courtyard in front of their home in a remote village in Hong Kong's New Territories.

Autopsies revealed that Tam had died from loss of blood from multiple stab wounds in the abdomen and back. His wife and oldest daughter were suffocated, and the cause of death for the 7-year-old was unknown.

Xu, who had been carrying out renovation work for Tam, came to Hong Kong last Friday. He argued with Tam on Sunday, the day of the murders, according to local media reports.

He was arrested after a colleague reported Tam missing when he failed to turn up for work Monday and police found blood stains in the family's home.

Xu appeared at Fanling Magistrates Court Thursday but did not enter a plea to the four charges of murder. He was remanded in custody until Monday while police investigations continue. (dpa)