A 35-year-old Thai woman, Sararat “Am” Rangsiwuthaporn, has been taken into custody on suspicion of being a serial killer, allegedly connected to the cyanide poisoning deaths of 12 of her acquaintances or friends.
The most recent incident involved the abrupt death of her 32-year-old friend, Siriporn Khanwong, during a trip they took together in western Thailand on April 14. Siriporn’s autopsy revealed cyanide in her system, which resulted in heart failure.
Notably, Sararat’s ex-husband is a senior police officer, and her sister owns a pharmacy where suspicious capsules were found. Upon her arrest, Sararat was discovered to be in possession of a cyanide bottle.
Detectives pieced together the evidence and built their case against the suspect. Local media reported that police have identified 12 individuals who suffered heart-related deaths between 2020 and 2023, all of whom had been in contact with Sararat. Deputy national police chief Surachate Hakparn has suggested there might be two additional victims, including a pair of female police officers.
While Sararat’s lawyer is working to establish her innocence, investigators are looking into whether financial motives were involved in the alleged killings. Some of the victims’ families have reported missing personal items and money from their bank accounts.
Following Siriporn’s death, her mother filed a report about stolen money and jewelry. Another woman who lent Sararat money said she experienced chest tightness and hand numbness after taking a pill given to her by Sararat. She was hospitalized and has since recovered.
Sararat was apprehended on April 25 after security footage of Siriporn’s collapse led to an arrest warrant. She is currently being held without bail in a women’s correctional facility as the investigation into the suspected murders continues.
