Murder investigation launched after suspicious death in Cha-am
A significant murder investigation has been launched in Cha-am, Phetchaburi, after the sudden and suspicious death of a 69 year old woman. Initially thought to have died from underlying health conditions, new evidence suggests foul play.
Pranee was found dead inside her home in Bang Kao, Cha-am on October 17. She was the wife of the former village head, 70 year old Sano. Her body was discovered lying on her back near the stairs, with a wound on her nose, and dressed only in underwear.
It was initially assumed that she had just finished bathing. On the day her body was found, her relatives believed she had died from existing health issues and proceeded with the funeral arrangements, holding a vigil at her home on the night of October 17.
However, after the funeral rites, Sano realised that his 9mm gun, which he had stored in a drawer, was missing. Upon further inspection, he also found that other valuables, including a camera, a laptop, and a wristwatch, were also gone.
Pranee’s daughter, 48 year old Anchisa, discovered further alarming signs. She noticed that the bedroom door on the second floor and several drawers were left ajar, and there were male shoe prints on the floor.
Additionally, one of Pranee’s bicycles was missing. A closer examination of the area where Pranee’s body was found revealed an unused white shotgun shell, leading the family to suspect that Pranee might have been attacked by an intruder.
The possibility of Pranee struggling with the assailant, causing the shotgun shell to be dropped, prompted the family to alert the police and have Pranee’s body exhumed for an autopsy at the Institute of Forensic Medicine, Police General Hospital.
Police Colonel Thanya Kruthpueak, Deputy Commander of the Phetchaburi Provincial Police, ordered a thorough investigation. Officers from the Cha-am Police Station and related units are collecting all available evidence and reviewing CCTV footage from nearby areas to uncover the truth as quickly as possible, reported KhaoSod.
In a recent development, police located Pranee’s missing bicycle abandoned in a roadside forest, approximately 200 metres from her home. The bicycle has been taken in for fingerprint analysis as part of the ongoing investigation.
