Stepfather Arrested for Murder of 13-Year-Old Girl and Attack on Mother
A 38-year-old stepfather with a history of sexual assault was arrested while fleeing on a motorcycle in Nong Bua Lamphu after his 13-year-old stepdaughter was found dead in a bathroom and her mother left severely injured.
NONG BUA LAMPHU — A 38-year-old man with a prior conviction for sexual assault was arrested on Monday afternoon while attempting to flee on a motorcycle, following the discovery of his 13-year-old stepdaughter's body and a brutal attack on his partner.
The suspect, identified by police only as Pornchai, 38, was apprehended at 14:10 on Monday on a rural road connecting Ban Don Klet and Ban Non Muang Noi in Sri Boon Ruang District.
The arrest followed a tragic discovery earlier that day. Pol. Lt. Col. Pichetphong Ratchabuakhot, an interrogation officer at Sri Boon Ruang Police Station, received a report at 12:30 regarding a fatality at a residence in Ban Mai Tanthawan, Nong Kung Kaeo Subdistrict.
At the scene, authorities located the body of a 13-year-old girl, a Matthayom 1 student from the area, in a bathroom at the rear of the property. The victim had been bound, and forensic evidence indicated she had been physically and sexually assaulted before her death. Her body was transferred to Loei Provincial Hospital for a formal forensic autopsy to determine the exact cause of death.
Outside the residence, authorities found the victim's 32-year-old mother with severe, deep lacerations to her head and face. According to neighbors and family members, she had been attacked and rendered unconscious, remaining trapped inside the home for two days before regaining consciousness Monday morning. She was immediately transported to a local hospital for emergency treatment.
Investigation and Timeline
Police investigators determined the 13-year-old victim typically lived with her maternal grandparents in a neighboring village. However, on Friday, May 22, she traveled to her mother and stepfather's residence in Ban Mai Tanthawan to visit them and attend the local Rocket Festival (Bun Bang Fai) scheduled for Saturday.
When the child failed to return home as expected, her grandfather searched for her at the village and school without success.
Separately, a local resident visited the property Monday morning to retrieve a motorcycle the family had borrowed on Friday to access an ATM in town. Upon arrival, the resident discovered the severely injured mother outside the home and immediately alerted relatives and emergency services.
Suspect Intercepted and Tests Positive for Drugs
Following the discovery of the homicide, Sri Boon Ruang District Chief Thanayut Yaikaew, acting in his capacity as an Office of the Narcotics Control Board official, coordinated with local administrative staff, village leaders, and Sri Boon Ruang Police to establish checkpoints along potential escape routes.
Administrative officers spotted Pornchai operating a red-and-white Yamaha motorcycle leaving the subdistrict. Officials successfully intercepted and detained him on a village road.
While a physical search yielded no illicit items, a mandatory drug screening returned positive for methamphetamine.
