Crime Family of Three Found Shot Dead in Chiang Rai Tapioca Field Hut

[Georgealbert]

 

Picture courtesy of Amarin.

 

The three deaths has shocked a rural village, after a couple and their five-year-old son were found shot dead in a remote hut surrounded by tapioca fields in Chiang Rai province.

 

The victims, identified as Mr Lahuna, Ms Nadu, and their young son, Jirayu, were discovered by the child’s grandmother in the early hours of the morning of 12 May, after he failed to visit her as usual. All three bodies were found in the central room of the family’s wooden hut, which stands isolated approximately 500 metres from the nearest home in Ban Pa Lan, Moo 11, in Huai Chomphu subdistrict, Mueang district.

 

Police and rescue teams were alerted around 09:00, after the grandmother entered the hut and discovered the horrifying scene. Investigators found bloodstains in the bedroom and children’s toys scattered throughout the home. A long-barrelled shotgun was found near the body of Mr Lahuna, leading officials to suspect a murder-suicide.

 

According to local accounts, villagers reported hearing three loud bangs around 21:30, the previous night, but dismissed the noises as firecrackers. Mr Natee, 31, who lives nearby, said he had already gone to bed and heard nothing unusual, only learning of the tragedy when neighbours visited the hut the following morning.

 

Deputy village headman Mr Jamu Jabu, 34, confirmed that no one disturbed the scene before authorities arrived. Initially, only the adult couple’s bodies were found. A later search revealed that young Jirayu’s body had been wrapped in a sarong belonging to his mother. He had been shot in the head. Mr Lahuna also suffered a gunshot wound to the head, while Ms Nadu was shot in the chest.

 

Mr Jamu recounted that Ms Nadu had two teenage daughters from a previous marriage before living with Mr Lahuna for the past decade. She had periodically travelled to Chiang Rai city for work, sometimes staying for months and occasionally taking her son with her. These absences may have triggered jealousy and insecurity in her husband.

 

Authorities suspect jealousy as the most likely motive behind the murders, particularly given past reports of frequent arguments between the couple. However, no previous incidents of drug use or criminal behaviour had been reported.

 

Police investigations continue as the grieving family and community await further answers.

 

 

  Adapted by Asean Now from Amarin 2025-05-13.