Bangkok, May 3 (EFE).- Thai police on Wednesday arrested the ex-husband of an alleged serial killer, who poisoned at least 15 friends and acquaintances with cyanide, over his alleged involvement in the crimes, local media outlets reported.
The man, a police officer identified as Withoon Rangsiwuthaporn, was arrested on Wednesday in the Ratchaburi province around 120 kilometers from Bangkok, after the judiciary issued an arrest warrant against him, the deputy chief of national police Surachate Hakparn told reporters.
The arrest comes as the latest chapter in the sensational tale of Sararat “Am” Rangsiwuthaporn, a woman being investigated for poisoning at least 15 people with cyanide, including friends and acquaintances, in what could be the first case involving a woman serial killer in Thailand.
On Tuesday, investigators had revealed that Sararat – dubbed “Am Cyanide” by the local media – may have received help from a “police officer” as they interrogated several people close to the alleged murderer, including her ex husband.
Hakparn said that Withoon’s arrest was linked to him picking up his ex-wife from the Udon Thani province after the death of her boyfriend at the time – one of her alleged victims – which raised suspicion during the probe.
The former police officer, who has been expelled from the force, has for now been charged with several crimes such as faking official documents, using fake official documents and handling stolen material.
The four-month pregnant Sararat – who claims to be innocent – was arrested last week and has been charged with at least 10 crimes so far, including seven counts of murder, while the police is investigating at least four other suspicious deaths linked to her.
As per the preliminary probe, one of the 15 victims had survived.
The alleged serial killings began in late 2020 and continued in different parts of the country until April, when the last victim – a woman from the Kanchanaburi province – died while participating in a religious ceremony alongside Sararat in the Ratchaburi province on Apr. 14. EFE
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