Police in the western province of Ratchaburi are investigating a pharmacist who is the sister of a woman accused of poisoning at least 13 people with cyanide. Coconuts reports that Sararat “Am” Rangsiwuthaporn is accused of the poisonings, which date back to 2020 and in which 11 of the 13 victims died. She is being held at the Central Women’s Correctional Institution and has been denied bail as she is considered a flight risk.
The suspect, who is the former wife of a senior police officer, was arrested on Tuesday, with officers saying she was motivated by money when she allegedly carried out the poisonings. Most of the victims were women who had handed over large sums of money, according to police. Another victim was another ex-husband of Sararat’s. Autopsies showed traces of cyanide in the bodies of each victim.
Of the two people who survived attempts to poison them, one is understood to be the wife of another police officer. Reports say she began to feel nauseous after Sararat gave her medicine she said was to treat Covid-19. The other survivor lives in the north-eastern province of Khon Kaen.
Sararat first came to the attention of the authorities following the death of her friend, Siriporn Khanwong, two weeks ago in Ratchaburi province. Siriporn died as she was making merit by releasing fish into the Mae Klong River. An autopsy showed traces of cyanide in her body and her family began to suspect Sararat. After questioning her, the police were able to link Sararat to other cases of cyanide poisoning in the central provinces of Kanchanaburi and Nakhon Pathom.
In more recent developments, deputy national police chief Surachate Hakparn says officers are investigating the suspect’s sister, who owns a pharmacy. During a search of the pharmacy, officers seized a number of capsules which the sister says were used to treat Covid-19. However, officers believe the poison used in the murders may have come from the pharmacy. The investigation continues.
SOURCE: Coconuts