Crime Woman Initially Thought to Have Died from Covid-19 Found to Be Murdered

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Picture courtesy of Bangkok Post

 

In a shocking turn of events, a woman thought to have died from Covid-19 was actually murdered, according to police investigations. Dokmai Praditja, 50, was found dead in her bedroom in Ban Samphaniang village, located in Non Daeng district, with her relatives initially attributing her death to the coronavirus, as she had recently tested positive for the disease.

 

Pol Col Paibul Khunkham, chief of the Non Daeng police station, disclosed that the absence of visible signs of struggle initially led relatives to believe Covid-19 was the cause of death. However, an autopsy conducted at Non Daeng Hospital revealed strangulation marks on Dokmai's neck, indicating suffocation as the true cause of death. Further examination at Maharat Nakhon Ratchasima Hospital uncovered broken ribs and a head injury, confirming that Dokmai had been murdered.

 

Dokmai lived with her husband, her 78-year-old father, who suffers from hearing impairment, and her son, recently moved to her former husband's house due to her Covid-19 diagnosis. Remarkably, her 43-year-old husband, Thanawat Panyanam, was in Yasothon province assisting his mother with rice farming during the time of her death.

 

The gruesome discovery was made when Dokmai's former husband arrived to collect school uniforms for their son and found the house locked from the inside. After enlisting the help of relatives to break in, they discovered Dokmai's body lying face down with crossed ankles.

 

Samarn Praditja, Dokmai's sister, recounted the family's discovery of the body, while Thanawat expressed his disbelief, stating he had recently spoken to Dokmai on general topics, unaware of any imminent danger until notified by her relatives.

 

As of now, the police have interrogated 15 individuals related to the case and have identified three primary suspects. The investigation is ongoing, with authorities determined to find those responsible for Dokmai's tragic murder and bring them to justice.

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from Bangkok Post 2025-06-16