BANGKOK, Thailand – The criminal court sentenced Sararat Rangsiwutthaporn, known as “Am Cyanide,” to death for her involvement in poisoning and killing a friend with cyanide, a highly toxic substance for robbery, Nov 20.
Am’s crimes came to light after the suspicious death of Siriporn “Koy” Khanwong, whose family refused to accept the initial explanation of natural causes.
Subsequent investigations revealed a disturbing pattern of deaths connected to Am. Authorities have identified 15 victims in total, with 14 confirmed fatalities.
In addition to Am’s death sentence, the court also sentenced her former police officer husband to 1 year and 4 months in prison and ordered him to pay compensation to the victims’ families. Am’s lawyer was sentenced to 2 years for aiding and abetting the crimes.
The public prosecutor and the victim’s mother jointly filed the case, seeking 30 million baht in damages.
The court found that the defendant Sararat witnessed Siriporn collapsing at the pier throughout the incident. Sararat showed no signs of shock or distress, which is unusual for someone who claims to be a friend, and did not immediately help. Instead, she drove away, fleeing the scene.
The victim’s blood samples revealed lethal levels of cyanide poison throughout the body, including in the blood, stomach, and liver. The poison severely affected the blood, breathing, and nervous system, leading to death.
Expert testimony about cyanide’s effects confirmed that the victim was likely given cyanide while still in the car and began showing symptoms before reaching the pier, eventually leading to death.
Furthermore, “Am” demonstrated deceptive behavior by stealing the victim’s LV bag and phone. Instead of contacting the victim’s relatives or returning the belongings, she took them in her car and concealed them, along with hiding the cyanide bottle.
In “Am’s” car, which she used to transport “Koy,” blue capsules and traces of cyanide were found in several locations, including the front left seat and the driver’s side rear door. Evidence showed “Am” had ordered cyanide from a company, with delivery confirmation photos from a rider.
The investigation also revealed that “Am” had significant debt problems, owing tens of millions of baht. Records showed 88 transfers to online gambling accounts totaling 93 million baht, credit card debt of 2 million baht, and personal loans of 3 million baht.
Suspicious transfers to gambling accounts were made both day and night. Notably, there was an unusual increase in deaths among “Am’s” acquaintances during her period of indebtedness. -819 (TNA)
