Serial Cyanide Murders Were Gambling Related Say Thai Police

Police believe a gambling problem was the motivating factor behind a serial killing in Thailand, suspect Sararat "Aem" Rangsiwuthaporn allegedly using cyanide to murder 14 people, including two police officers.

Claiming “financial problems” were the motive for the cyanide murders, Hakparn alleged:

“Aem had poisoned all 15 victims with cyanide that was placed in drinking water, food or medicines in the form of capsules."

“Aem was failing financially. She had huge debts from credit cards,” he added during a briefing on the investigation at the Royal Thai Police Sports Club earlier this month. Analysis of 78 million baht ($2,273,000) that flowed through bank accounts pointed to the suspect having a serious gambling habit, with losses of as much as $29,000 per day.

Police believe this may the reason behind Sararat’s alleged killings, the victims having ‘transferred large amounts of cash to Ms Sararat's account prior to their passing,’ according to the Bangkok Post.

Deputy national police chief Pol Gen Surachate Hakparn explained that some of the money was transferred to proxy accounts in Sararat’s name, set up ‘to receive cash transfers from gamblers.’

Sararat’s – dubbed "Aem Cyanide” on social media – was four months pregnant at the time of her arrest on April 25th. Her arrest followed a complaint made by the mother and elder sister of 32-year-old Siriporn “Koy” Khanwong.

Siriporn reportedly “collapsed and died beside the Mae Klong river” after visiting the area to release fish for merit-making. Investigators suspect that Sararat mixed cyanide in Siriporn’s food, and also stole from the victim.

The suspect’s husband, Police Lieutenant Colonel Withoon, has been fired from the force following an investigation into his involvement in the murders.

He has been charged with “receiving stolen property, jointly forging official documents and jointly using forged official documents”.

Police believe there may be more victims than the 14 so far identified, with several more investigations ongoing. One intended victim of the alleged killing spree survived.