Jeab Murder Suspect Escapes To Belgium

[Gerry]

Jeab murder suspect escapes to Belgium

Tuesday, October 12, 2004

Jeab murder suspect escapes to Belgium

PATTAYA: Sam Van Treeck, the 24-year-old Belgian tour leader accused of the brutal stabbing murder of Phuket-based dive instructor Chompoonut “Jeab” Kobram, is now back in his home country after fleeing Thailand while out on bail.

The Belgian Consul in Bangkok, Hilde Van Inthoudt, confirmed that Van Treeck arrived in Belgium on Friday, but denied emphatically that the embassy had been involved in his release on bail or in his escape to Belgium.

Van Treeck has been talking with journalists in Belgium about his reasons for fleeing, though he has carefully avoided saying how he got out of the country.

He claims that the police investigation was badly botched, that evidence probably disappeared or was tainted, and that a DNA test on hairs found in K. Jeab’s hand was also a failure.

The chief investigator in the case, Pol Maj Chalermkiat Sirimak, while declining to discuss the DNA evidence, dismissed Van Treeck’s claims.

“It’s normal for an accused to make allegations like this. It’s not true. The apartment was sealed off carefully,” he told the Gazette.

It does appear, however, that Van Treeck is safe from trial in Thailand. “There is no extradition treaty between Thailand and Belgium,” said Consul Van Inthoudt. “Belgium doesn’t have the death penalty,” she added.

K. Jeab was found dead on June 25 in Van Treeck’s apartment in Pattaya. She had been stabbed 48 times. Van Treeck has consistently denied murdering her, claiming – according to Pattaya police – that K. Jeab was already dead when he arrived back home after going out to drink beer.

The Belgian, who was initially set free after posting police bail, was again granted bail by the Pattaya Court on September 21, the day after charges were filed against him.

Maj Chalermkiat did, however, specify that Van Treeck was charged under Section 289 of the Penal Code, which states: “Whoever commits murder on the other person by employing torture or acts of cruelty shall be punished with death.”

“The Office of the Attorney General has ordered us to begin extradition proceedings,” he added.

Canadian Noah Meyer, K. Jeab’s fiancé, who believes Van Treeck was the murderer, expressed outrage at Van Treeck’s escape.

“Thailand and Belgium have covered themselves in shame for allowing this travesty of justice to occur. There are many of us in many countries who won’t rest until Jeab’s death is [avenged],” he said.

[george]

Suspect in murder of B.C. man's fiancee flees Thailand

A Vancouver man who‘s wife-to-be was killed in Thailand is outraged that the key suspect charged in the case has fled the Southeast Asian country.

Sam Van Treeck, the 24-year-old Belgian tour leader accused of the brutal stabbing murder of Phuket-based dive instructor Chompoonut “Jeab“ Kobram, is now in his home country after fleeing Thailand while out on bail.

“He violated a court order forbidding him to leave Thailand. Either he was given back his passport by the Thais or he entered Belgium on a false passport. Someone has to accountable for his escape,“ said Noah Meyer, a Vancouver computer programmer and Jeab‘s fiance.

Thai newspapers said that Van Treeck who faced the death penalty is now safe from trial in Thailand.

“There is no extradition treaty between Thailand and Belgium,“ said Consul Van Inthoudt. “Belgium doesn‘t have the death penalty,“ she told the Phuket Gazette.

The Belga press agency said Van Treeck surrendered to police at Heist-op-den-Berg, near Antwerp in northern Belgium.

A spokesman for the foreign ministry was quoted as saying: “He escaped from Thailand without telling our embassy of his plans.“

In Belgium, Van Treeck who reportedly entered the country with his Laotian wife has been giving media interviews saying that a Thai police officer demanded a bribe from him to doctor video footage taken from the hotel where the murder took place.

Not saying how he fled Thailand or who helped him, the suspect claimed that the police investigation was badly botched, that evidence probably disappeared or was tainted, and that a DNA test on hairs found on Jeab‘s hand was also a failure.

The chief investigator in the case, Pol Maj Chalermkiat Sirimak, dismissed Van Treeck‘s claims.

“It‘s normal for an accused to make allegations like this. It‘s not true. The apartment was sealed off carefully,“ he told the Gazette.

The Asian Pacific Post reported last month that, Jeab, 23, a PADI certified dive master, was found dead with 48 stab wounds in Van Treeck‘s Pattaya condo-hotel.

Jeab had met Van Treeck four years earlier and the Belgian was allegedly trying to renew their relationship around the time of the murder.

Jeab apparently went to visit Van Treeck who was “having problems with his Laotian wife“ to see if she could help.

Police arrested Van Treeck on June 27 two days after the murder. He served 17 days in jail before getting out on bail with the help of the Belgian embassy in Bangkok, according to reports in Thailand.

The Belgian Consul in Bangkok has denied emphatically that the embassy had been involved in his release on bail or in his escape to Belgium.

Meyer, a University of British Columbia graduate and the popular Jeab lived together for 18 months and were planning to get married just before the murder. Meyer was going to adopt Jeab‘s three year old daughter, Cherie, who she had had from a former marriage.

“Van Treeck is now flaunting his presence in Belgium as if he were a hero. He is pretending he hardly knew Jeab. The police showed me, as part of their evidence, a letter he‘d written, in English, just before Jeab was killed.

“It‘s an intense love letter begging her to stay with her, saying how he, with his son, and her, with her daughter, would make a “perfect family“, said Meyer.

“The police also told me they were holding a witness in protective custody who told them Van Treeck came to see her and was “extremely agitated,“ Meyer added.

Meyer was back in Jeab‘s home village of Burirum for the 100th day ritual (Buddhist ceremony) to commemorate his fiance‘s death this month.

“I also went to see Cherie who is living with her grandparents…She‘s now an orphan…Everytime the phone rang Cherie asked “Is that my mother calling?” Meyer said.

Meyer and his mother Renee Rodin, a Vancouver-based writer, have now established a website ( http://groups.msn.com/FriendsofJeabSeeking...ceforherMurder ) to create international awareness for the case and push for a trial.

“Thailand and Belgium have covered themselves in shame for allowing this travesty of justice. We won‘t rest until Jeab‘s death is avenged,” he said.

-- The Asian Pacific Post 2004-10-22

[igotworms]

Maybe this guy really did it. Too bad we'll never find out. The Canadian boyfriend is absolutely right in what he's saying. However, if I was accused of murder in Thailand, whether I was guilty or not I would flee this country in a heartbeat.

The victim had numerous knife wounds inflicted, often a sign of passion, and often shows a connection bewteen the victim and the murderer. Did she know anyone else in Pattaya besides the the ex boyfriend? He did her in.

[NedKelly]

This is the perfect case for Sherlock Holmes or Columbo......whichever you like......

You cant believe anyone in this situation......Thai police......sorry they just dont command trust........the accused..??

Tough call.

[Doi Thong]

Looks pretty easy to me: the guy had a probem with Laotian wife and seeks help from her former lover. Probably the Laotian wife stubbed her to death(we all know how furious Isaaan girl can be if they love someone). The police was trying to make some cash from the case, but let him free on bail(another funny thing in Thailand, when murderes can be bailed). If he is involved or not, he did the right thing escaping the country, cause Thaiand is good for holidays not for trials..:-)

[cojones]

If you recall the ChiangMai guest house murder that was also a botched police operation .

DNA tests were a mess , all sorts of red herrings were introduced into the proceedings ,

like planted semen purchased from ladyboys . hairs on the bed matched nobody ..

they never did get to the bottom of the case and this one sounds similar ...