Thai policeman’s wife charged with cyanide murder as list of victims grows
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Sararat Rangsiwuthaporn, who is married to a senior policeman, was arrested on Tuesday over nine alleged murders which took place over several years.
PHOTO: EPA-EFE
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BANGKOK – The Thai police have widened their investigation into a woman accused of a spate of cyanide poisoning murders.
Officers on Thursday raised the number of victims to 13 and charged the woman with premeditated murder.
Sararat Rangsiwuthaporn, who is married to a senior policeman, was arrested on Tuesday over nine alleged murders which took place over several years.
The police believe money was the motive in the killings. But they added that Sararat, who is four months pregnant, had previously been diagnosed with psychiatric issues.
Officers are now investigating at least 13 suspicious deaths dating back to 2020, deputy national police chief Surachate Hakparn said on Thursday.
“She has been charged with premeditated murder,” he told reporters in Bangkok.
The police have not specified how many murders Sararat has been charged with, but they say she denies all the allegations against her.
The police have also expanded the geographic area they are investigating to five provinces, most to the west of Bangkok.
Officers found a substance at the woman’s home that the authorities believe to be cyanide, and suspect she poisoned the victims’ food and drink.
Following routine health checks in prison, the Department of Corrections confirmed on Thursday that Sararat is four months pregnant and experiencing stress, blurry eyes and headaches.
Investigators have interviewed her police officer husband and other witnesses.
The police described how a 14th person narrowly escaped death after vomiting the poisoned food.
“The suspect lured her latest victim into eating a herb, and around 20 minutes later she collapsed,” Mr Surachate said.
He urged the public to contact the police with any information about other potential cases.
The police initially suspected the woman of murdering a friend in Ratchaburi province, west of Bangkok, about two weeks ago.
Local media said the victim collapsed on the bank of the Mae Klong River after releasing fish as part of a Buddhist ritual.
After questioning the suspect, investigators linked her to other cyanide poisoning cases. AFP
