The Australian owner of a holiday resort and bar in Krabi has been stabbed to death, allegedly by the husband of one of his employees. 57 year old Peter Heppell was attacked and murdered at the bar of his own resort, ‘Melina’s Monkey House and Whale Bar’ in the Khao Thong subdistrict in Krabi on Sunday.
Peter had been a long-term resident of Phuket in the past and lost his 6-month-old daughter in the 2004 Boxing Day tsunami.
He was pronounced dead at Krabi Hospital on Monday morning.
Peter was married to a Thai woman, who owned the resort in the sub-district of Khao Thong, in the Mueang district of Krabi. Peter managed the bar and was often there chatting to customers.
Ao Nang Police say a suspect has handed himself in and is the husband of one of the resort workers. It’s understood he had been negotiating with the victim over his wife’s salary, when an argument broke out.
The suspect has been named as 24 year old Peerachart Songsri from Songkhla, who now faces charges of murder. He has admitted carrying out the murder of the Australian man, although the circumstances surrounding it have not been totally clarified, according to police.
Peter’s body is being transferred to Phuket, where a funeral will be held. The investigation continues.
Meanwhile Peter’s sister, Karen Bormolini, shared the news of her brother’s passing on her Facebook page, saying that her beloved brother had been reunited with his baby girl.
“We are devastated to post that Peter’s life was taken suddenly and violently on his 57th birthday in Krabi Thailand. Peter will be remembered as a larger than life character, who walked to the beat of his own drum and lived life to the fullest.”
“He survived motorbike accidents and miraculously the Boxing Day Tsunami! Peter loved his daughter Aly, the ocean, beer, footy, and Thailand. The family is so grateful that we were able to spend time with him recently.”
SOURCE: The Phuket Express
