Autopsy Suggests Suicide in Ex-Cop 'Joe Ferrari' Cell Death

[webfact]

Picture courtesy of Bangkok Post

 

The body of former police colonel Thitisan "Joe Ferrari" Utthanaphon was found in his Klong Prem Central Prison cell in Bangkok, dead from an apparent hanging. His case, splashed across Thai media, has once again sparked intense scrutiny over prison conditions and the justice system.

 

Early reports coming from the Central Institute of Forensic Science (CIFS) indicate that suicide by hanging appears to be the primary cause of death for Thitisan.

 

Dr Worawee Waiyawuth, deputy director of CIFS, stated at a press briefing that Thitisan allegedly used a small towel to take his own life. The marks around his neck were consistent with such a towel being used as a makeshift noose.

 

Thitisan, known for his high-profile life and notorious car collection earning him the nickname "Joe Ferrari," had previously been sentenced to life imprisonment.

 

His sentence arose from his involvement in the 2021 torture and murder of a drug suspect—a case that had struck a nerve in Thailand, leading to public outrage and discussions over police corruption.

 

The autopsy did reveal some bruising on Thitisan's body, specifically his back and hip, though these were deemed to be old injuries.

The presence of blood at the cell site, according to Dr Worawee, may also be a natural post-mortem occurrence. Nonetheless, tissue samples have been taken for further testing to confirm the preliminary findings.

 

Despite these findings, Thitisan's relatives remain unconvinced it was suicide. They have opted to send his body for another autopsy at Chulalongkorn University, seeking a second opinion on the circumstances surrounding his death.

 

Tensions rise as questions linger over how someone could commit suicide within a supposedly watched environment.

 

File photo courtesy of Thai Rath

 

Adding intrigue to the situation, Klong Prem Central Prison officials reported Thitisan's death around 8.30 pm on Friday. A chilling scene was described: a lifeless Thitisan slumped against the cell door with a towel tied around his neck and bruised fingers, hinting at the struggle in his final moments.

 

In a complicated twist, Thitisan's mother had lodged a complaint in February alleging her son was previously assaulted by a prison guard.

 

She claimed this incident followed after he reported a fellow inmate for misconduct. Such claims deepen the mystery and add to the family's reluctance to accept the suicide theory without comprehensive evidence.

 

With investigations ongoing, including reviews of CCTV footage and other evidence, the spotlight remains on Thai authorities to ensure all events leading to Thitisan's death are transparently scrutinised, reported Bangkok Post. 

 

-- 2025-03-10

 

 

[flyingtlger]

You play, you pay.....

[watchcat]

4 hours ago, webfact said:

His sentence arose from his involvement in the 2021 torture and murder of a drug suspect—a case that had struck a nerve in Thailand, leading to public outrage and discussions over police corruption.

 

And what did the "doctor" say at the time, something about stress or the like while he had 6 plastic bags around his neck and dead.  Thai justice is only for peple with big money.