A court sentenced a woman accused of killing 14 friends with poisonous cyanide to death in Thailand. A court in Bangkok overnight found Rangsuthaporn, a 36-year-old woman, guilty of killing a wealthy friend by poisoning food and drink while on a trip last year, the BBC reported today.
After the death of that rich friend overnight, his relatives and friends were reluctant to accept it as a natural death. A later autopsy revealed the presence of cyanide in his body. In this situation, the Thai police arrested Sararat and found Sararat's involvement in several other such deaths since 2015. Besides, the whereabouts of one person who luckily escaped from his hands is also found.
The police said Sararat was known as 'Am Cyanide' in the Thai media. He was addicted to gambling. He used to target friends who got money. He would later kill them with cyanide and steal their jewelry and valuables.
Police also said that in April last year, the 32-year-old went on an overnight trip to Ratchaburi Province, west of Bangkok, with his friend Siriporn Khanong. There they participated in a Buddhist ritual in a river.
Investigators said Siriporn fell seriously ill after consuming food overnight. At one stage he fell into the lap of death. But during this time he did not make any attempt to help his dying friend throughout the night.
An autopsy found traces of cyanide in Siriporn's body. The police also said that his phone, money and bag were missing from where he was rescued.
After announcing the overnight death sentence, Siriporn's mother Kyachanasiri looked at the girl's photo in court and said, 'You got justice. There is still justice in this world.'
Kyachanasiri said he could not even look at the court all night because of his anger. Laughed all night when the death sentence was announced. He had earlier pleaded innocent.
In the trial, Sararat's husband along with her lawyer and a former police officer were also accused by the court of tampering with evidence to avoid prosecution. The trial sentenced them to one year, two years and four months respectively.
The trial also ordered Sararat to pay 20 million Thai baht as compensation to the family of the victim of the murder.
When cyanide enters the body, it affects oxygen cells. As a result, the person suffered a heart attack. Early symptoms of cyanide include—dizziness, shortness of breath, and vomiting. Even a small dose of this poison can cause death in humans. And if the amount is high, it can kill people in just one second.
This toxic substance is heavily regulated in Thailand. Anyone possessing it without permission can face up to two years in jail.
