A 17-year-old girl whose body was discovered in a suitcase in Thailand died from suffocation, authorities have confirmed. Pattaya City police chief Anek Srathongyoo stated on Wednesday that Tunchanok Donhomla's autopsy results showed she died from suffocation. He added that she also sustained some brain injury, but this was not the cause of death.
Police previously reported finding Tunchanok's naked body in a bag near a railway track in Pattaya on 27 June. This discovery was made shortly after the arrest of 45-year-old Australian man Simon Peter Carman, who police said was allegedly "preparing to flee the country."
Anek further revealed that DNA found on Tunchanok's body matched Carman's, suggesting it "likely came from when he put her body in the suitcase." Police are pursuing four charges against Carman, including murder; concealing or moving the body; kidnapping a child over 15 but under 18; and taking away a child over 15 but under 18 for an indecent act.
Carman reportedly denied the charges and claimed he acted in self-defence. He allegedly told police he had agreed to pay Tunchanok 1,000 baht for sexual services, but they argued when he offered only 500 baht upon returning to his apartment. Police are expected to submit the case to prosecutors by Friday, with a deadline for indictment set for 18 September.