Gambling-Addicted Killer Used Cyanide on 14 Friends

Thailand’s ‘Cyanide Killer’ Sarahangthawiporn’s Reign of Terror Exposed

The morning of April 14, 2023, began like any other for many in Thailand’s Rajaburi province. But for one woman, a peaceful Buddhist ritual by the Mlong River turned into a sudden, tragic end.

Public members rushed to help the collapsing woman, but their efforts were in vain. She was pronounced dead at the scene, leaving authorities puzzled by her lack of identification and the unusual circumstances.

The deceased was later identified as Siriporn Khanwong, known to friends as Koi. Initially, her death appeared to be a sudden medical emergency.

However, an autopsy revealed a chilling truth: Koi had cyanide in her blood. This discovery shifted the investigation from a natural death to a potential homicide, as cyanide is a deadly poison not easily found or acquired.

A Friend’s Suspicious Departure

Surveillance footage from the riverbank provided a critical clue. Koi was seen arriving with another woman, who exited the car from the driver’s seat. While Koi walked towards the river for the ritual, her companion wandered away, returning to the car to retrieve something before following Koi.

Minutes later, the companion was seen leaving the riverbank with urgency and driving away. This friend was identified as Sarangthawiporn, also known as ‘AM’.

Investigators learned that Sarangthawiporn had a severe gambling addiction, leading to significant debt. Koi, who worked in finance, had previously lent money to Sarangthawiporn multiple times. The fact that Koi’s money and belongings, estimated to be worth around 154,000 Baht (approximately $4,700 USD), were missing added to the suspicion.

Unraveling a Pattern of Murder

As news of Koi’s death spread, other reports emerged from across Thailand. People came forward claiming that family members or friends had died suddenly after spending time with Sarangthawiporn. Investigators began to see a disturbing pattern: Sarangthawiporn would borrow money, fall into gambling debt, and then poison her lenders before taking their valuables.

The cyanide was often administered through food, drinks, or even medication, making the deaths appear natural. Authorities eventually linked Sarangthawiporn to at least 15 alleged poisonings dating back to 2015. One survivor, Kantama Prasert, recounted feeling ill and collapsing after sharing a meal with Sarangthawiporn, miraculously recovering after hospitalization.

Evidence Mounts Against the Killer

The investigation intensified, revealing that two of Sarangthawiporn’s victims were police officers. Her ex-husband, Vitun Rangthawiporn, a police lieutenant colonel, was also implicated for allegedly helping her conceal evidence, particularly in Koi’s killing and the death of her former boyfriend, Sutasak. Investigators believe Vitun even helped Sarangthawiporn extort money after Sutasak’s murder.

Crucially, many of Koi’s missing items were found at a pawn shop under Sarangthawiporn’s name. Police later found a bottle of cyanide and evidence of online purchases of the poison in her home. A risky social media appeal to identify the car seen in the surveillance footage led to its discovery, revealing traces of cyanide on the seats and further receipts linked to Sarangthawiporn.

Sentencing and Lingering Questions

On November 20, 2024, Sarangthawiporn was found guilty of murdering Siriporn Khanwong. She received a death sentence. She later received a second death sentence for the murder of Major Nepa Sanchana.

With at least 13 more trials pending for suspected murders, she could face up to 15 death sentences in total. Her ex-husband, Vitun, was sentenced to one year and four months in prison for hiding evidence.

The case highlighted potential flaws in the Thai justice system, where limited forensic resources may have led investigators to conclude deaths were natural too quickly. Sarangthawiporn’s ability to commit murders over eight years across multiple provinces highlights the importance of thorough investigations, especially when dealing with seemingly natural deaths. The extensive investigation involved interviewing over 900 people and examining more than 26,000 documents.

Source: Secret Serial Killer Accidentally Leads Cops To Her 14 Murdered Friends (YouTube)