A woman from Thailand has been sentenced to death on charges of killed 14 of her friends, poisoning them with cyanide.
The trial court in Bangkok found 36-year-old Sararat Rangsiwuthaporn guilty of murdering her friend in 2023 and charged with 13 other poisonings, according to the BBC.
It all started last year when the 36-year-old poisoned a friend during a trip. The family did not accept that the woman had died of natural causes and the coroner found traces of cyanide in her body.
Police arrested Sararat for the death of her friend and after an investigation it was revealed that she was involved in the poisoning of 13 other friends. In fact, one person she attempted to poison with cyanide survived.
She was killing them to give back the money
According to police, Sararat was addicted to gambling and targeted friends to whom she owed money. After poisoning them, she would then steal jewelry and money from their homes.
The murder of her friend
In April 2023, Sararat traveled with 32-year-old Siriporn Khanwong to Ratchaburi to take part in a Buddhist ceremony.
Siriporn collapsed and died after a meal with Sararat, who did not attempt to help her, according to police.
Traces of cyanide were found on Siriporn’s body and her phone, money, and bags were missing when she was found dead.
The involvement of a police officer’s husband
Sararat’s ex-husband, Vitoon Rangsiwuthaporn, worked in the police force and was arrested and accused of helping the 36-year-old poison a friend.
Both Sararat’s ex-husband and her lawyer were given prison sentences of one year four months and two years respectively for concealing evidence that helped the 36-year-old avoid prosecution.
Cyanide poisoning
Cyanide deprives the body’s cells of oxygen, which can cause heart attacks. Early symptoms include dizziness, shortness of breath, and vomiting. It can lead to respiratory failure, coma, and then death.
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