Manhunt Underway After Man Kills Estranged Wife, Flees with Stepdaughter

Picture courtesy of KhaoSod

A harrowing incident unfolded in Samut Prakan province, where a 43-year-old man, Chaiwat, fatally shot his estranged 34-year-old wife, Rattiya, in front of their children and mother-in-law. The tragedy, which occurred on March 13 at 1am, has prompted a police manhunt after Chaiwat fled the scene with his 15-year-old stepdaughter.

Phra Samut Chedi Police were alerted to the shooting in Bang Pla Kot subdistrict, where they found Rattiya's lifeless body with gunshot wounds to her head and chest. The suspect had threatened his stepdaughter before escaping, initially on a motorcycle and later in a black Mitsubishi pickup truck.

Investigations reveal that the couple had been separated for three years, with Chaiwat previously taking their 10-year-old son and stepdaughter to Sisaket province, while Rattiya stayed in Samut Prakan. The suspect returned with the children under the guise of discussing family matters, which tragically escalated.

Rattiya’s mother, Apa, recounted how her daughter showed Chaiwat their marriage certificate, prompting him to shoot her without response. Apa tried to protect her granddaughter from being harmed as Chaiwat abducted her.

It has emerged that the stepdaughter had accused Chaiwat of sexual abuse, a concern shared by Rattiya with her sister, Rattikan. Rattiya had advised her daughter to collect evidence of the abuse, but communication had since lapsed. Rattikan believes these allegations may have driven Chaiwat to return and commit the violent act.

Police are diligently investigating, reviewing CCTV footage, and interviewing witnesses to locate Chaiwat. Rattiya’s body has been sent for an autopsy to aid in the ongoing investigation. The authorities are racing against time to ensure the safety of the abducted stepdaughter and bring the suspect to justice, reported The Thaiger.