Investigating Phuket police say a Russian man, they initially believed had been murdered, may have taken his own life.
The authorities say new evidence has emerged which indicates the man may have been suicidal at the time of his death.
The body of the Russian national, who has been identified only as 27 year old Mr Ilia, was found in a ditch near Karon Beach on Tuesday, September 3. Initially, a doctor who attended the scene with police had suspected foul play. However, the authorities now say suicide may be the cause.
Phuket police chief Sinlert Sukhum says new evidence confirms the dead man was suffering from mental health issues and had experienced psychotic episodes in the past. Sinlert says he was also a habitual marijuana user, which may have contributed to hallucinations, nervous symptoms, and other behaviors he exhibited.
Mr Ilia’s wife has also told police that her husband had previously made several attempts on his own life.
When found, the man’s body had several slash wounds to his arms and injuries to his face and head that would indicate he had been struck with a hard object.
The authorities were initially working on the assumption that he had been killed somewhere else and his body dumped where it was found, by the Naga statue at Karon Beach.
Police are now compiling additional evidence with plans to hold a press conference to confirm the cause of death.
If you or anyone you know is in emotional distress, please contact the Samaritans of Thailand 24-hour hotline: 02 713 6791 (English), 02 713 6793 (Thai) or the Thai Mental Health Hotline at 1323 (Thai).
SOURCE: Bangkok Post
