A 22-year-old woman, known as U-sa or Praew, was found dead in a house in Hang Dong District, Chiang Mai, Thailand last Saturday after reportedly being attacked by her brother-in-law. The victim was discovered semi-naked with signs of strangulation on her neck by a friend, who became concerned after she failed to show up for work.
Authorities subsequently arrested the victim’s sister’s husband, Phanuwat, 31, following preliminary investigations that suggested an attempted sexual assault and murder. Police believe the victim had been deceased for approximately 48 hours before her body was found.
Local media reports indicate that the suspect confessed to the act while under the influence of alcohol on Thursday. He allegedly went to Praew’s home while she was asleep. When she resisted, he reportedly strangled her using a hair-straightening wire. The suspect reportedly abandoned the sexual assault attempt upon discovering that the victim was menstruating.
Panicked after realizing his sister-in-law was dead, the suspect allegedly tried to stage the scene to appear as a robbery. However, his plan failed when a delivery person arrived as a witness, leading to his arrest.
Phanuwat now faces charges of intentional homicide, which carries penalties ranging from the death sentence, life imprisonment, or 15 to 20 years in prison if convicted.
