Mystery killings in US leave Thai families distraught

[webfact]

Mystery killings in US leave Thai families distraught

By MARISA CHIMPRABHA 
THE NATION

 

 

KORNKAMOL LEENAVARAT left Thailand for Seattle, Washington on August 21. Just two weeks later she was dead, found in her apartment along with the body of her roommate Thiti-orn Chotchuangsap.
 

The only daughter and youngest child in her family, Kornkamol returned home early last month to celebrate Mother’s Day on August 12 with her father and older brothers; her mother had already passed away.

 

Seattle police are investigating the murders of both Washington University post-graduate students.

 

Reports of the killings detailed how the victims’ bodies were riddled with knife wounds, causing alarm in Seattle that such a vicious act could occur in the quiet residential area close to the university and in a city regarded as one of the safest in the United States.

 

Kornkamol was studying law in Seattle, having graduated with a bachelor’s degree from Thammasat University and attained a master’s degree, also in law, from a university in Boston, Massachusetts. 

 

 

Her family lives in Pathum Thani province, where they are well known, due to some of them being local politicians. They say Kornkamol’s ultimate goal was to one day become a judge.

 

The only information to have emerged so far about Thiti-orn is that she was from Samut Sakhon province. 

 

Deputy immigration police commissioner Itthipon Itthisarnronnachai said yesterday he had been notified that both bodies had been discovered on Tuesday bearing multiple stab wounds.

 

He declined to speculate on details surrounding the deaths, in particular on speculation in US media reports that this was a murder or murder-suicide.

 

The murder-suicide theory was raised following a report that the apartment was locked from the inside when a building manager went to check it at the request of Kornkamon’s family, made through their relative in the US.

 

Kornkamol contacted her family almost daily, so they were immediately concerned after they failed to reach her and university administration officers told them she had been absent from class for many days.

 

Ittipon confirmed the report that the room was locked from the inside when the building manager tried to gain entry, apparently adding substance to the theory there was nobody else involved. 

 

Moreover US police have declared that they are not seeking any suspects.

 

Speaking at the same press conference, Pol Lt General Suthipong Wongpin, immigration police commissioner, said immigration records showed that Kornkamol had left Thailand on August 21 and Thiti-orn on August 27.

 

Immigration police will liaise with relevant authorities to help the families of both women travel to the US.

 

An elder brother of Kornkamol, Weerasak Leenavarat, said that his family is in deep mourning for the loss of their friendly and lively daughter and sister. 

 

It was especially traumatic, he said, for their father, whose health was already poor. 

 

The rest of the family is now staying close to take special care of him at this time.

 

Weerasak posted a series of photos on his Facebook page of the day Kornkamol flew to the US. The images show everybody smiling as they see off a beaming Kornkamol at Suvarnabhumi Airport.

 

Weerasak called Kornkamol “our little sister who was always lively, friendly and brave”. 

 

A relative wrote that the last words Kornkamol told her were: “Don’t be so sad. I will only go to the US for a short period. I will come back very soon.”

 

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/detail/national/30353909

 

-- © Copyright The Nation 2018-09-07

[Lingba]

very sad..however at least the police aren't quickly ruling this a suicide and moving on as such in other places around the globe

[Fex Bluse]

27 minutes ago, Lingba said:

very sad..however at least the police aren't quickly ruling this a suicide and moving on as such in other places around the globe

Exactly. Very trajic and our thoughts are offered to the families and friends. 

 

However, unlike foreigners in Thailand, Thais can count on impartial efforts and truth seeking for their loved ones in western countries. 

[Just1Voice]

So tragic & sad.

 

[Puwa]

Medical examiner rules it a murder-suicide.

 

https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/crime/deaths-of-2-women-found-in-university-district-apartment-ruled-a-murder-suicide/

[Just1Voice]

Pure speculation here, but Kornkamol was a very attractive young lady who would have had many admirers in the US, while the other girl looks like a Tom.  So perhaps it happened from a jealous rage.  Wouldn't be the first time. 

[Khunbilly]

7 minutes ago, Just1Voice said:

Pure speculation here, but Kornkamol was a very attractive young lady who would have had many admirers in the US, while the other girl looks like a Tom.  So perhaps it happened from a jealous rage.  Wouldn't be the first time. 

If that ends up being the case then the family will try to shut this story down quickly. 

[SOTIRIOS]

...it would suggest...a lot going on ....'beneath the surface'...

 

...seriously doubt the families would want us to know....

 

...facades can only serve for so long.....

 

...dreadful....

[ravip]

RIP for the victims.

This incident and some comments above shows how sick and depraved humans are, irrespective of their nationalities.

[sawadeeken]

3 hours ago, Lingba said:

very sad..however at least the police aren't quickly ruling this a suicide and moving on as such in other places around the globe

 

2 hours ago, Fex Bluse said:

Exactly. Very trajic and our thoughts are offered to the families and friends. 

 

However, unlike foreigners in Thailand, Thais can count on impartial efforts and truth seeking for their loved ones in western countries. 

Yes.... In America you don't have to think about a 'police coverup' as in Koh Tao....

[PREM-R]

7 minutes ago, sawadeeken said:

 

Yes.... In America you don't have to think about a 'police coverup' as in Koh Tao....

Should the Tourist Authority of America issue a statement " This will not affect tourism in the USA" as per TAT protocols?

[holy cow cm]

Could have been a fight between them, and happy irate nonsensical thinking go get knife Thai went off the hook. My guess is the bigger gal went off the hook. 

[webfact]

Deaths of two Thai students in Seattle ruled a murder suicide

By The Nation

 

 

A Medical Examiner's Office in Seattle has ruled the deaths of two Thai female post graduate students who were roommates as suicide murder, reported Seattle Times on Thursday.

 

Both women found dead in a unit at the Malloy Apartments in Seattle’s University District on Tuesday.

 

They were identified as Kornkamon Leenawarat, 25, and Thiti-on Chotechuangsab, 32.

 

The King County Medical Examiner’s Office ruled that a 32-year-old woman fatally stabbed her younger roommate and then killed herself.

 

Kornkamol died from multiple stab wounds and her death was ruled a homicide while Thiti-on died from a stab wound to the chest and her death was ruled a suicide, according to the medical examiner. Both died on Saturday.

 

The university was asked to perform a wellness check on Kornkamol on Saturday afternoon, and the family filed a missing-person report with the Seattle Police Department on Sunday after no one had heard from her  for two or three days.

 

One of Kornkamol's family members who asked not to be identified to protect his privacy told the Times that both women met while attending Boston University and roomed together since Kornkamol began working on her second master’s degree at the University of Washington in March.

 

The Times reported that University of Washington President Ana Mari Cauce confirmed Thursday that both women were master’s students attending the university’s law school.

 

“This is a heartbreaking loss for their families, friends and our entire community. I offer condolences on behalf of our University to everyone who is grieving as a result of this tragedy,” Cauce wrote in an online post.

 

“The Seattle Police Department has made clear that this was an incident between these individuals and that there is no risk to the broader community.”

 

On Tuesday, Seattle police responded to an apartment in the eight-story building at 4337 15th Ave. N.E. after the building manager conducted a welfare check and found a severely injured woman, police said at the time. When officers arrived, they found two women dead inside the apartment.

 

Kornkamol's relative and his wife who live in the US will be traveling to Seattle on Friday to collect her possessions and arrange for her remains to be returned to Thailand.

 

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/detail/national/30353941

 

-- © Copyright The Nation 2018-09-07

[Fex Bluse]

27 minutes ago, PREM-R said:

Should the Tourist Authority of America issue a statement " This will not affect tourism in the USA" as per TAT protocols?

Or the obligatory "The criminals must be found because this crime affects the image of the country" 

 

 

[ravip]

1 hour ago, PREM-R said:

Should the Tourist Authority of America issue a statement " This will not affect tourism in the USA" as per TAT protocols?

Done!

 

“The Seattle Police Department has made clear that this was an incident between these individuals and that there is no risk to the broader community.”

[Nowisee]

4 hours ago, Fex Bluse said:

Exactly. Very trajic and our thoughts are offered to the families and friends. 

 

However, unlike foreigners in Thailand, Thais can count on impartial efforts and truth seeking for their loved ones in western countries. 

 

This is true.  
Not only impartial, but well skilled and trained with the end result being detailed and transparent.

 

2 hours ago, Just1Voice said:

Pure speculation here, but Kornkamol was a very attractive young lady who would have had many admirers in the US, while the other girl looks like a Tom.  So perhaps it happened from a jealous rage.  Wouldn't be the first time. 

 

Seems to have been the case.  

[digger70]

3 hours ago, ravip said:

RIP for the victims.

This incident and some comments above shows how sick and depraved humans are, irrespective of their nationalities.

It's a Big Bad World out there ,,,, Anything is Possible no matter How Bad,,,,, So shut It.

[ravip]

19 minutes ago, digger70 said:

It's a Big Bad World out there ,,,, Anything is Possible no matter How Bad,,,,, So shut It.

Quick fix ?

[chippendale]

10 hours ago, webfact said:

Her family lives in Pathum Thani province, where they are well known, due to some of them being local politicians. They say Kornkamol’s ultimate goal was to one day become a judge.

Extremely lucrative careers, raking in bucketloads of Baht: politician, judge

[varun]

RIP - too young to die.

 

I think this should be warning to all parents (especially Thai) out there,

that trust no one. 

 

For students going overseas to further their studies,

due diligence / a background check should be done on prospective roommates.

 

This case clearly shows that having a countrywoman as your room-mate is no guarantee of security.

I hope this tragedy will serve as a wake up call.

 

I'm betting my bottom dollar this was done in a fit of jealous rage - either envy or unrequited love.

The lesbian theory seems accurate, however clearly, the younger one was(is) more attractive of the two.

Perhaps the 32-year old's insecurities got the better of her.

This is about as Thai as a murder could get.

[connda]

RIP.

[metisdead]

Some callous troll posts have been removed as well as the inflammatory replies.  

 

An inflammatory post commenting on moderation has been removed.  

[Old Croc]

Interesting that the photo of one of the women appears to be a police mugshot.

[sawadeeken]

1 hour ago, Old Croc said:

Interesting that the photo of one of the women appears to be a police mugshot.

IN Thailand that is standard also on ID cards and Driver license

[scorecard]

5 hours ago, varun said:

RIP - too young to die.

 

I think this should be warning to all parents (especially Thai) out there,

that trust no one. 

 

For students going overseas to further their studies,

due diligence / a background check should be done on prospective roommates.

 

This case clearly shows that having a countrywoman as your room-mate is no guarantee of security.

I hope this tragedy will serve as a wake up call.

 

I'm betting my bottom dollar this was done in a fit of jealous rage - either envy or unrequited love.

The lesbian theory seems accurate, however clearly, the younger one was(is) more attractive of the two.

Perhaps the 32-year old's insecurities got the better of her.

This is about as Thai as a murder could get.

"The lesbian theory seems accurate, however clearly, the younger one was(is) more attractive of the two."

 

All based on one small poor quality head & shoulders photo of each girl.

 

"Perhaps the 32-year old's insecurities got the better of her."

 

What insecurities? How do you know whether or not she (or either of them) had any insecurities?

 

 

[Catkiwi]

13 hours ago, Lingba said:

very sad..however at least the police aren't quickly ruling this a suicide and moving on as such in other places around the globe

"Moreover US police have declared that they are not seeking any suspects".

 

Well, they kind of are...

[metisdead]

Offensive troll posts and the replies have been removed. 

[scorecard]

19 hours ago, chippendale said:

Extremely lucrative careers, raking in bucketloads of Baht: politician, judge

What's that got to do with the sad event of 2 young women dead?

[khwaibah]

Front page Bangkok Post. 

[metisdead]

A post in violation of fair use policy has been removed:

 

14) You will not post any copyrighted material except as fair use laws apply (as in the case of news articles). Please only post a link, the headline and the first three sentences.