Pest-Control Man Kills Half-Thai Doctor In Philadelphia

[webfact]

Pest-control man kills half-Thai doctor in Philadelphia

The Nation

PHILADELPHIA: -- A half-Thai doctor based in Philadelphia was assaulted and burned to death by an exterminator in an attack on Monday that started with an argument, US-based ABC News reported yesterday.

Paediatrician Melissa Ketunuti, 35, who worked at the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia - said to be the largest and oldest children's hospital in the world - was strangled and set on fire by an exterminator called Jason Smith.

Smith, 36, whose previous record only consisted of "minor traffic offences", was arrested yesterday and will later officially face charges of murder, arson and abuse of a corpse, ABC quoted the Philadelphia police department as saying.

The attacker had reportedly been sent to the paediatrician's home on a service call where the two got into "some kind of argument" in her basement on Monday.

"It went terribly wrong. He struck her, and knocked her to the ground," Captain James Clark said. "Immediately he jumped on top of her, started strangling her. She passed out, and then he set her body on fire."

The victim was fully clothed and police do not believe she was sexually assaulted.

-- The Nation 2013-01-26

[rotary]

Only in America....................RIP

[comserve]

How can you be half Thai?? Either you are Thai or you are not.

[Baerboxer]

How can you be half Thai?? Either you are Thai or you are not.

Don't be silly. The expression refers to people whose parents are from different nationalities, as well you should know.

This appears a sad and tragic loss of life without adding silly posts.

[whatchamacallit]

Only in America....................RIP

Only in America? Geez you must not watched the news lately... Obviously women have been attacked and abused everywhere... Remember the rape case in India, honor killing in Pakistan and England, sexual slavery ring in Thailand... I don't think America has exclusive on people going berserk!

[gaucho]

tiger woods is half thai rip to the woman

[pacovl46]

How can you be half Thai?? Either you are Thai or you are not.

Really?!?!?! So, what if her father was Thai and her mother American or the other way round??? Are you really that mentally impaired to comprehend that?

[Scott]

My condolences to her family, friends and colleagues.

Please keep your remarks civil.

[ronz28]

Rest in Peace Doctor Ketunti.

It is reported elsewhere that Ketunuti's parents were said to be travelling to Philadelphia from Thailand. Her father is Thai and her mother is Belgian. Her family released a statement saying they were "devastated by this senseless act of violence."

"Melissa's friends from childhood, college, residency and elsewhere remember her many kindnesses, even during long hours, as well as her zest for life: traveling, running and spending time with friends and family," the statement said.

"Melissa was a source of joy to everyone in her life. Her passing has left an enormous gap in our lives."

[saroq]

Only in America....................RIP

Unfortunately not.

[bendejo]

He only killed the Thai half? I don't get it.