Jealousy Turns Deadly: Man Murders Girlfriend, Hangs Himself in Police Cell

Picture courtesy of Matichon.

A 31-year-old man arrested for the brutal murder of his girlfriend was found dead on the morning of 29 April, in a police holding cell, having taken his own life using a drawstring from his sports trousers.

The suspect, identified as Mr. Chaiyawat, also known as “Max”, had been detained at Nayayom Police Station in Chanthaburi Province for the killing of his 22-year-old girlfriend, Ms. Anthika, an employee of a private delivery firm. The incident took place on the night of April 24 at a rented row house in Ban Khao Maping, Nayayom District.

Police say the suspect assaulted the victim during a heated argument, reportedly sparked by jealousy after discovering messages on her phone exchanged with other men. According to his later confession, Mr. Chaiyawat claimed he did not intend to kill her, but in a fit of rage, he attacked her until she lost consciousness. Believing she was still alive, he allegedly placed her on the bed, locked the room, and fled on her motorbike.

CCTV footage captured the events leading up to and after the murder, helping police track the suspect down. He was arrested in the early hours of April 29 at a friend’s house in Bo Rai District, Trat Province, and transported back to Chanthaburi for questioning.

Initially denying any intent to kill, Mr. Chaiyawat later confessed under the weight of the evidence. He was placed in custody while awaiting formal charges.

However, at approximately 10:30, officers discovered Mr. Chaiyawat dead in his cell. A preliminary investigation by police forensic teams and a hospital pathologist confirmed that he had used the drawstring from his trousers to hang himself from the cell bars. No signs of physical assault were found on his body, and his death is believed to have occurred 1–2 hours prior to discovery.

Police officials stated that a thorough body search had been carried out before the suspect was placed in the cell, but the drawstring may have gone undetected as it was hidden within the waistband of his shorts.

Mr. Chaiyawat’s uncle, who arrived at the police station to claim the body, revealed that his nephew worked as a freelance well driller and had previously struggled with drug-related issues. He declined to comment on the details of the relationship or the murder, noting that he had not lived with the couple.

Mr. Chaiyawat’s parents are both deceased. His body will be released to relatives for religious rites. Police continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding the case.

  Adapted by Asean Now from Matichon 2025-04-30.