Pictures courtesy of Naewna

The body of a 73-year-old woman was found lying in a drained pond in Nakhon Nayok province on Saturday, January 3, 2026, prompting a police investigation into the circumstances of her death. Rescue workers and police believe the woman had been dead for some time before her body was discovered. The discovery was reported after migrant workers alerted local emergency services.

The body was found in a large fish pond covering more than 40 rai in Moo 8, Dong Lakhon subdistrict, Mueang district, Nakhon Nayok. The pond had been completely drained of water and the body was located about 30 metres from the edge. The woman was found unclothed, with both legs sunk into dried mud and the body was described as being in a dry state.

Police officers from Dong Lakhon Police Station, doctors from Nakhon Nayok Hospital, and rescue workers from Dong Lakhon emergency services and Ruamkatanyu Foundation attended the scene. Officers examined the surrounding area and conducted an initial forensic examination at the site. Marks around the body were consistent with attempts to crawl or struggle.

Women’s clothing and underwear were found placed near the body, and footprints were seen leading from the edge of the pond down into the basin. Police believe the woman may have become stuck in the mud while walking through the drained pond and was unable to free herself. Investigators suspect she removed her clothing in an attempt to escape the mud.

Village headman Choochat Kannika and local resident Chatree Thapthong later confirmed the identity of the deceased as Mrs Laki Yontsang, aged 73. She lived in Moo 8, Tha Ruea subdistrict, Pak Phli district, Nakhon Nayok. Relatives had reported her missing on December 11, 2025, after she failed to return home.

Mr Chatree said Mrs Laki had been suffering from Alzheimer’s disease for around three to four months and was unable to remember the way home. She had previously been seen walking in Dong Lakhon subdistrict and asking villagers for drinking water before disappearing. Family members had searched for her extensively, including following advice from a fortune teller, but she was not found.

Naewna reported that police said there were no immediate signs of assault and are treating the death as accidental pending further examination. The body was sent for a more detailed post-mortem examination and officers will continue to question relatives and witnesses from the scene, to confirm the timeline of events.

Key Takeaways

• A 73-year-old woman was found dead in a drained fish pond in Nakhon Nayok on January 3, 2026.

• Police believe she became stuck in dried mud and died possibly weeks before being discovered.

• The woman had Alzheimer’s disease and had been reported missing since December 11, 2025.

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Adapted by ASEAN Now from Naewna 2026-01-05

 

 

Wow, so sad. Horrible way to go.

RIP lady - Alzheimer's usually takes longer than 3-4 months (unless was gradual & getting more severe over time so noticed) but I'm not a doctor