A key suspect charged in connection with the murder of Japanese teacher Yoshinori Shimato has confessed to killing the victim before chopping up the body and throwing the pieces into a canal, a senior police officer has said.
Somchai Kaewbangyang, centre, is escorted by police to a house where he allegedly killed Japanese language teacher Yoshinori Shimato and dismembered his body before dumping the body parts in a canal in Samut Prakan's Bang Bo district. (Photo by Suthiwit Chayutworakan)
Police Region 1 acting commissioner Amnuay Nimmano said Somchai Kaewbangyang confessed to the murder during questioning.
Pol Maj Gen Amnuay said Mr Somchai earlier denied killing the man but admitted he dismembered the body to cover up the death after he found him at the house of Pornchanok Chaiyapa, his girlfriend, another suspect in the murder.
He said Ms Pornchanok also admitted she witnessed the killing and gave some useful information, but declined to give further details.
A source close to the investigation said Mr Somchai admitted to smothering the man to death with a pillow.
The confession comes as police yesterday found knives and other items believed to be connected to the murder at the home of the suspects' daughter.
Pol Maj Gen Amnuay said police expect to wrap up the investigation in 15 days.
Pol Col Somsakchai Amornsongcharoen, chief of Bang Sao Thong police station, said Mr Somchai told investigators about the murder weapons during questioning on Thursday night.
He said police obtained a warrant from Samut Prakan provincial court to conduct a search at the flat in Samut Prakan's Bang Phli district. Officers found the knives allegedly used to chop up the victim and the clothes Mr Somchai wore on that day.
The flat belongs to Mr Somchai's 24-year-old daughter born to Ms Pornchanok.
Forensic tests would be carried out to see if the knives were used in the crime.
The pair were arrested in Ang Thong on Sunday on suspicion of being linked to Shimato's disappearance. The 79-year-old teacher was last seen on Sept 21. His son, Tetsuo Shimato, flew from Japan and lodged a missing persons complaint with Huai Khwang police on Oct 14.
Police found several suspicious withdrawals from the missing man's bank account, with a total of more than 700,000 baht taken out in 14 transactions. Ms Pornchanok was charged with theft.