PHTSANULOK, Thailand – An accused rapist was found dead in a jail cell, apparently by suicide.
Gefunden um 5 Uhr morgens
A 42-year-old man, accused of threatening and raping his 14-year-old stepdaughter, was found dead in a detention cell. He had allegedly hanged himself with a blanket. The discovery was made by officers at the Chat Trakan police station in the early morning of June 24th. Police Inspector Chainarong Kongmueang was alerted at 5:00 AM and immediately responded to the scene with rescue services.
Inside the cell, officers found the lifeless body of Somjit, 42, dressed in a blue short-sleeved shirt and white shorts. The man had apparently hanged himself from the bars of his cell. The body was discovered by an on-duty officer. Forensic experts were called to the scene.
Mit zerrissener Decke erhängt
According to the police report, Somjit used a torn blanket to end his life. He reportedly ripped the fabric into strips and fashioned them into a noose. He did not have access to any other objects that could have been used for self-harm. A warrant for the 42-year-old’s arrest had been issued by the provincial court of Nakhon Thai on June 22nd, on charges of rape.
Alkohol und Gewalt in der Ehe
Polizeioberstleutnant Mawin Boonmee, vice-chief of investigations, described a troubled home environment to investigators. Somjit reportedly drank regularly and was often violent towards his ex-wife. Shortly before the alleged rape, he had apparently lost his temper because he demanded more money for alcohol. The ex-wife had already paid for the fieldwork and had no more money. In his rage, Somjit allegedly strangled her. The couple then went their separate ways permanently.
Mit Messer bedroht und vergewaltigt
The situation escalated completely on June 20th. Somjit allegedly threatened the 14-year-old stepdaughter with a knife and forced her to accompany him into a wooded area. There, in a secluded hut, he raped the girl, according to investigators. The victim, referred to by the pseudonym “Mädchen Klein,” waited for an unobserved moment and typed a message to her older brother.
Nachricht an den Bruder als stiller Hilfeschrei
She secretly asked him to alert the police. The victim’s plan worked, but Somjit noticed the message and fled into the surrounding forest. A large-scale manhunt immediately commenced. On June 23rd, three days later, residents and the vigilante group of Pong Din Dam village tracked him down to his hiding place. The security forces surrounded the fugitive and apprehended him without resistance. They handed him over to investigators at the police station for further prosecution.
Bürgerwehr stellte den Flüchtigen
The handover to the police occurred on June 23rd. Sometime that same night, Somjit must have found an opportunity to tear the blanket and hang himself. The exact time of the suicide remains unclear. The on-duty doctor from Chat Trakan Hospital and officials from Forensic Center 6 secured all evidence in the detention cell. The body was subsequently transported to the forensic medicine department of Phutthachinarat Hospital in Phitsanulok for a detailed autopsy.
Akte geschlossen
With the accused’s death, the criminal proceedings have officially concluded. The family of the 14-year-old is in shock and must now live with what happened without legal recourse. Following the completion of the forensic examination, the body is to be handed over to the relatives for traditional funeral rites. The incident occurred in Pitsanulok province.