Sattahip: A 56-year-old woman has confessed to the murder and robbery of her mother-in-law, who was also a prosecutor, in a shocking crime that has left the community in disbelief. The woman, identified as Ms. Kamonwan, was taken into custody by police after admitting to the heinous act. The motive behind this brutal crime was to pay off gambling debts, as she claimed to have acted alone.

According to Thai News Agency, the victim, Ms. Wanna, aged 65, had disappeared with her valuables after attending a Kathin ceremony at a temple in Soi Yen Ruedi, Sattahip District, Chonburi Province. Her body was later discovered with severed ring fingers in a palm plantation in Wang Chan District, Rayong Province. The police investigation led them to a Chonburi-registered car that was used to pick up the deceased. This discovery prompted the police to obtain a court warrant to arrest Ms. Kamonwan for questioning. Initially, she denied the charges but eventually confessed to murdering the victim and stealing her jewelry to
sell at a gold shop in Ban Bueng District, Chonburi Province.

The stolen assets included a 3-baht gold necklace, a 2-baht gold bracelet, two diamond rings, a pair of gold earrings, a pair of gold earrings with diamonds, a gold Citizen watch, and a mobile phone. Ms. Kamonwan meticulously executed her plan by luring the victim to a secluded plantation area where she used to live. There, she attacked Ms. Wanna with a steel pipe, severed her fingers to remove the diamond rings, and disposed of the body before fleeing.

The investigation revealed that Ms. Kamonwan threw the murder weapon into a trash can and disposed of the mobile phone in a canal. The remaining valuables were sold at a gold shop, and the suspect returned to her home in Sri Racha District. Despite cleaning the car used in the crime, police were able to track her down and arrest her.

Ms. Kamonwan insisted that she acted alone, driven by a desperate need to repay her gambling debts. The police retrieved some of the valuables but have not yet decid
ed whether to take her back to the crime scene. Ms. Kamonwan is scheduled to be taken to court to request a detention order as her investigation period has expired.

Further evidence emerged from the gold shop where the suspect sold the stolen items. CCTV footage showed Ms. Kamonwan visiting the shop and selling the jewelry under her name without showing identification. The shop owner stated that her demeanor was calm, and he had no reason to suspect her at the time.

Pol. Col. Phatthana Roprue, Superintendent of Wang Chan Police Station, highlighted that the discovery of the suspect’s hair in the victim’s hand was crucial evidence, confirming Ms. Kamonwan’s involvement. The deceased’s younger brother expressed sorrow and disbelief over the cruel act, stating that his sister was a kind-hearted person who might have helped if asked.