Sodium hydroxide suspected in deaths of Thai cop and 2 daughters

A tragic incident occurred on Mother’s Day when a Thai policewoman and her two daughters were found dead in the bathroom of their home in Chon Buri. Sodium hydroxide, commonly used in bathroom cleaning, is suspected to be the cause of their deaths.

A Thai woman, identified only as Khaofang, sought help from officers at Mueang Chon Buri Police Station yesterday, August 12, after discovering the 60 year old policewoman, Ananya Boonyakun, and her two daughters, 34 year old Jitpisut Boonyakun and 25 year old Pannika Boonyakun, in critical condition in the bathroom.

Khaofang informed the police that she was a friend of Jitpisut and had stayed overnight with the family before leaving in the morning for her business. Upon returning to the house, she found the place silent. After searching for her friend, she discovered all three women in a severe condition in the bathroom.

According to the police report, Ananya, Jitpisut, and Pannika were found with foam around their mouths, and their nails and lips had turned dark. Rescuers from the Dhamratsamee Rescue Foundation administered CPR but tragically, their lives could not be saved.

The police revealed that a strong smell of sodium hydroxide was detected in the bathroom, prompting officers to restrict access to the area for safety reasons. Two police officers who investigated the scene were also affected by the chemical fumes.

No suicide motives

Khaofang told the police that she, too, suspected sodium hydroxide as the cause of the deaths. She claimed that Ananya had asked her to buy the chemical that morning, explaining that the bathroom’s drainage was clogged and she intended to use sodium hydroxide to clear it.

A friend of Police Captain Ananya told ThaiRath that Ananya and her daughters had no thoughts of suicide. Ananya was due to retire in September of this year and was known to be very close to her daughters. The friend added that Ananya had never mentioned any personal problems or debts that could have led to such a tragedy.

The friend also suspected sodium hydroxide to be the cause of their deaths and hoped the autopsy would confirm this.

The Deputy Commissioner of Provincial Police Region 2, Chatchai Surachatephong, ordered an investigation to determine whether the case was an accident or a possible murder.

Officers found a bottle of sodium hydroxide in the house and would track the source of the substance and investigate any personal issues the deceased may have had. However, the initial investigation suggests that the deceased had no known conflicts with anyone. The bodies were sent for autopsy at Chon Buri Hospital.