CHONBURI — A court has issued an arrest warrant on Saturday for a close friend of a wealthy Chonburi woman whose body was found beaten and with two fingers cut off, hidden in a palm plantation in Rayong Province. Gold jewelry weighing 8 baht, two diamond rings, and cash were missing. Police are also questioning her German husband.
Police Lieutenant Taweesak Pakamat of Wang Chan Police Station, Rayong, reported that a woman’s body was discovered on a dirt road in a palm plantation in Moo 3, Pa Yup Subdistrict, Wang Chan District, Rayong, at 7:30 p.m. on November 15.
The body showed signs of blunt force trauma to the face, a slash wound to the back of the head, and both ring fingers had been cut off. The estimated time of death was at least 6 hours prior. Witnesses in the area reported seeing a white car entering the area where the body was found.
The victim was identified as Wanna, 67, who had gone missing after attending a Kathin ceremony at a monastery in Soi Yenrudee, Sattahip, Chonburi.
Wannarat Saengkaew, 35, the victim’s daughter, reported that her mother disappeared after the ceremony. The victim’s possessions, including a 5-baht gold necklace, 3-baht gold bracelet, two diamond rings, and cash, were all missing.
Investigation revealed that on the morning of the incident, Wanna’s German husband dropped her at the monastery. A couple who were friends of Wanna offered to drive her home, but before she could exit their car, she received a phone call and left with another driver.
Police investigating CCTV footage saw Wanna entering a white Toyota with Chonburi license plates on November 15.
The car was traced to Kamonwan, 57, who also made the last call to Wanna’s phone. Kamonwan, who lives in Sriracha and is also married to a German national, was arrested after police obtained a warrant. She has denied involvement during interrogation at Nong Kham Police Station, Si Racha District, Chonburi Province on November 16, 2024.
At 9:00 a.m. on November 17, Wang Chan Police Station in Rayong brought Kamonwan from Chonburi in for questioning. She appeared visibly distressed. Officials then took her to Wang Chan Hospital for a physical examination, where they initially found scratch marks on her arms and bruising on the back of her left hand. They are also awaiting forensic evidence, including fingerprints and evidence from the vehicle.
Investigation into Kamonwan’s background revealed that she had previously lived and worked in Pa Yup Subdistrict, Wang Chan District, Rayong Province for several years, making her very familiar with the area. This serves as additional corroborating evidence that she was the perpetrator.
The police also searched for Kamonwan’s German husband, Mr. Wolf, age 68, who claimed he was riding his motorcycle to meet friends in Pattaya on the day of the incident. Immigration police had been notified to monitor him due to concerns he might flee the country.
However, later Mr. Wolf returned to his residence at Saen Preeda Village in Bueng Subdistrict, Sriracha District, Chonburi Province. Police then took him in for questioning.
Meanwhile, officials from the Chonburi Forensic Science Division and Chonburi Immigration Police, armed with a search warrant from the Pattaya Court in Chonburi Province, searched the house for additional evidence. They also collected DNA samples from inside the house to compare with the deceased victim.
Initially, police charged Kamonwan with intentional homicide.
________
