Delayed police response on Thai woman’s brutal murder in London
The brutal stabbing murder of a 27 year old Thai woman, in her residence in Westminster, London, has stirred up public fire against the local police over their delayed response to distress calls from her friends. The unfortunate incident unfolded in a home located on Stanhope Place, near Hyde Park, valued at around US$4 million.
The victim Kamonnan Angela Thiamphanit’s lifeless body was discovered on Monday morning. Her neighbours reported hearing screams prior to the gruesome discovery, according to British media. The search for the culprit is still ongoing.
The Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed on last night that the deceased was indeed a Thai national who had been stabbed. The ministry further revealed that the Thai embassy in London had reached out to the victim’s family and was working closely with the police on the case.
As reported by the Daily Mail, law enforcement authorities were alerted by a worried friend of Kamonnan on Sunday evening. Despite this, they failed to arrive at the scene until 13 hours later. The Metropolitan Police confirmed receiving two calls from the same individual at 7.05pm and 9.34pm respectively, as reported by the BBC.
Multiple wounds
The police force revealed in a statement that the woman was initially graded as a medium-risk missing person prior to the discovery of her body. Officers visited the property on Stanhope Place at 8.30am on Monday. They were confronted with the grim sight of a woman who had suffered multiple stab wounds upon forcibly entering the premises. An autopsy report revealed sharp force trauma as the cause of death.
Before Kamonnan’s body was found, neighbours reported hearing two high-pitched screams, followed by an eerie silence. Given the lack of forced entry and the presence of a video entry system at the front door, it is speculated that Kamonnan might have been acquainted with her attacker.
The Metropolitan Police has referred the case to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) due to the criticism received for their handling of the investigation.
Detective Chief Inspector Adam Clifton made a public appeal for information.
“I would appeal to anyone who has information that could assist us, no matter how insignificant you think that may be, to come forward and speak to us. Kamonnan’s family and friends have been devastated by this murder and we must ensure whoever is responsible is held to account.”
Neighbours revealed that Kamonnan lived in the £4-million (182 million baht) property situated in the posh neighbourhood of the City of Westminster, just a stone’s throw away from Hyde Park. The property, which served as the Ethiopian Embassy until four years ago, has since been converted into several Airbnb units. Kamonnan’s specific rental spaces within the property remain unknown.
The three-storey, five-bedroom terraced home originating from the 1820s is rented, according to a local hotel owner, who was oblivious to the identity of the tenant,reported Bangkok Post
