A pregnant woman dubbed "Aem Cyanide" by netizens over her suspected role in the deaths of over a dozen people is now facing at least 10 charges, mostly for premeditated murder, as the police continue their investigation into the case.
Pol Col Anek Taosuparp, deputy commander of the Crime Suppression Division, yesterday updated the press on progress of the investigation into suspect Sararat Rangsiwuthaporn.
Multiple arrest warrants have now been issued for the suspect, seven of which were for premeditated murder, Pol Col Anek said. They alleged crimes span the period from late 2020 to earlier this month.
The seven warrants for premeditated murder were issued for the deaths of Darinee Thepthawee, who died in Nakhon Pathom in December 2020; Surat Toraphap and Kanika Tuadecharat, who died in Kanchanaburi and Ratchaburi in 2021 -- as well as Pol Capt Kanda Torai, Maneerat Pojanat, Pusadee Samboonmee, who passed away within a month of each other in Nakhon Pathom last year; and Pol Maj Nipa Saenchan, who died in Nakhon Pathom on April 1.
Ms Sararat was also wanted over her suspected role in the death of Rosjarin Nilhoi in Samut Sakhon on Aug 10, 2022; the attempted murder of Kantima Paesa-ard in Kanchanaburi; and the theft of personal effects belonging to Siriporn Khanwong, who passed away in Ratchaburi on April 14.
Pol Col Anek said investigators are looking into informal money-lending groups which count Ms Sararat as their member, as many of the dead had transferred her large sums of money prior to their deaths.
Investigators said Ms Sararat would first gain her victim's trust before inviting them to go on a merit-making trip with her. So far, 14 deaths have been linked to Ms Sararat -- one person managed to survive. There was no word on whether she is being cooperative with police, though she has denied the charges to date.
Pol Col Anek said there is no indication that Ms Sararat had accomplices, though a senior police officer -- Ms Sararat's ex-husband -- has been summoned for questioning. He denied having any involvement in the case.
A police source said investigators, led by Pol Col Thongchai Yuket, deputy commander of the Crime Suppression Division, yesterday questioned a nurse at Taksin Hospital who was a close friend of Ms Sararat and member of the same pyramid scheme. He gave her name only as "Nok".
The 36-year-old suspect, a native of Kanchanaburi province, was dubbed "Aem Cyanide" after police found traces of cyanide in the body of her most recent victim, and in the suspect's vehicle. Ms Sararat, who is four months pregnant, was arrested at Government Complex on Chaeng Watthana Road in Bangkok on Tuesday.
She is currently detained at the Central Women's Correctional Institute. Police have sent investigation teams across Ratchaburi, Kanchanaburi, Nakhon Pathom and Phetchaburi to search for more clues pertaining to the case.
