Disabled Man Found Dead in Canal After Four-Day Disappearance
A 53-year-old disabled man from Phetchabun province was found dead in a canal four days after disappearing, with his family saying his son had abused him for drug money.
On July 12, 2024, authorities reported the case of Sophaa, 53, from Sri Thep Noi village in Sri Thep district, Phetchabun province, who went missing on July 7 around 1 a.m. Relatives, village leaders, residents, and rescue teams conducted extensive searches but found no trace of him. His wife revealed that he likely fled in fear of his 28-year-old son, who has a methamphetamine addiction and had been physically abusing him and forcing him to withdraw disability money. At 6:10 a.m. on July 12, residents discovered Sophaa's body floating in a public canal approximately 3 kilometers from his home. He is believed to have been dead for at least three days. Neighbors reported that before his disappearance, they saw his son take him to withdraw disability benefits multiple times. A village assistant explained that they found the body while searching, following a foul smell that led them to the canal. Police from Sri Thep station have transferred the body to Sri Thep Hospital and plan to send it for autopsy at Phetchabun Hospital. While family members have not yet confirmed the exact cause of death, the circumstances suggest a tragic situation involving elder abuse and addiction.
