DNA results confirm body of missing Russian kidnap victim

PHUKET: Unofficial DNA results and dental records confirm that the decapitated body found in Cherng Talay on March 29 is that of missing Russian Alexey Slabinskiy, Phuket Provincial Police Deputy Commander Arun Kaewvatee announced on Saturday.

“We’ve heard unofficially from the Forensic Office in Surat Thani that the remains are those of Mr Slabinskiy, and the teeth found in the body match the dental records for Mr Slabinskiy held by Bangkok Hospital Phuket,” said Col Arun.

Police have not yet determined Mr Slabinskiy’s cause of death, Col Arun added.

The two suspects in the murder of Mr Slabinskiy, Oleksandr Boychuk, 44, and Aleksandr Novichkov, 58, are believed to still be in Thailand and are expected to be apprehended soon, Col Arun said, but he did not reveal any new leads in the search.

“We have friends and associates of the suspects under surveillance, but so far don’t have any information about the men’s whereabouts,” Col Arun reported.

Mr Slabinskiy disappeared with his girlfriend Iana Strizheus on March 7. Shortly thereafter, the pair told relatives in Russia that they had been kidnapped and needed money (story here).

Ms Stirzheus was discovered alone in a Bang Tao hotel room on March 16. After being hospitalized for several days, she returned to Russia on April 4.

— Woranut Pechdee