A Thai teenager allegedly murdered by an Australian citizen died of suffocation, according to the police autopsy revealed to the ABC.
The teen’s accused murderer, Simon Carman, has been in Thai police custody since late June, when he was arrested at the Suvarnabhumi International Airport in Bangkok, attempting to board a flight to Australia.
Police allege the 45-year-old Australian man picked up 17-year-old Tunchanok Donhomla, who is affectionately known as “Cake”, near Pattaya Beach in the early hours of June 25.
Her naked body was found two days later, stuffed inside a suitcase that had been dumped near railway tracks about a 10-minute drive from Mr Carman’s accommodation.
Pattaya City Police Station Superintendent Colonel Anek Srathongyoo said the police investigation was close to completion. (ABC News: Haidarr Jones)
In an exclusive interview with the ABC, the superintendent at the Pattaya City Police Station said the investigation was close to completion.
“The autopsy report said that Cake had a brain injury and she suffocated. She had no other injuries,” Police Colonel Anek Srathongyoo said.
“We also collected Simon [Carman’s] DNA and matched it to DNA found on Cake’s body.
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Police retraced her last moments to the hotel room she had entered with Mr Carman.
“I think by this Friday [August 21] we will conclude our investigation and submit the files to the prosecutor,” Police Colonel Anek said, adding that prosecutors had until September 18 to indict Mr Carman.
“I think we have collected 100 per cent of the evidence. Once it is brought before the court, the court can consider imposing a sentence quickly.”
Family want ‘justice’ for Cake
Tunchanok Donhomla’s family has been left deeply shaken by her death. (ABC News: Natalie Whiting)
Ms Tunchanok’s father, Thongchai Donhomla, said he was “relieved” to hear there was progress in his daughter’s case.
“I don’t have the legal knowledge or the money to pursue all these proceedings myself, so I have to rely on the media,” he said.
“I don’t ask for much. I just hope my child gets the justice she deserves.”
In June, Police Colonel Anek said Mr Carman had initially been charged with “taking a minor for the purpose of committing an indecent act”.
“We believe he killed her, and he is being questioned on suspicion of murder,” he said at the time.
“He has fingernail scratches across his body that are consistent with a struggle, but he denies killing her.
“He said that she disappeared from the room while [he] was asleep and unaware of anything.”
Pair argued about money, police say
Mr Carman reportedly also told authorities he acted in self-defence, alleging Ms Tunchanok threatened him with a knife.
Mr Carman has been charged with four offences, including moving a body, taking a minor for sexual purposes, and murder, which carries the death penalty or life in prison.
According to Thai media, the 45-year-old said he had not known Ms Tunchanok before they met in Pattaya and went to his flat.
Mr Carman said the pair initially agreed on a payment of 1,000 baht ($43) but argued after he offered 500 baht instead, the Thai media report said.
Police said the pair had argued about money but declined to discuss further details.
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In a video recorded in June while he was in custody, Mr Carman told Ms Tunchanok’s family he felt bad for “what happened to your daughter”.
“It was out of my control,” he said. “Um, I hope you — I know you’ll be very sad, upset; same-same me.
“Um, it shouldn’t happen and I hope you’re OK. I know you’re not, but I hope. Um, and please tell other girls to be not — just to be careful, and not — I don’t wanna talk [unintelligible].”
Prison staff say Mr Carman has received no visitorsFamily reflects on legacy of Thai teen
Ms Tunchanok’s family said in June they were “shocked and speechless” over her gruesome death.
Her great aunt, Mee Bonsert, said she wanted the killer to face the death penalty if found guilty.
“I want a life for a life,” she said.
Mr Carman is detained in Pattaya Remand Prison, where he shares a cell with at least 60 inmates, awaiting trial, according to Pattaya Special Prison Commander Phatsaphong Jaiklongklaeo.
Simon Carman has been detained at the Pattaya Remand Prison. (ABC News: Haidarr Jones)
He said Mr Carman was the only Australian national at the prison and had received no visitors except Australian embassy staff.
A court date has not yet been announced.
Police timeline of murder investigationJune 25, 3:34am: CCTV footage from a condo lobby shows Mr Carman and Ms Tunchanok walking hand-in-hand and entering an elevator.June 25, 9:25pm to 9:48pm: CCTV captures Mr Carman dragging a large suitcase out of his room and leaving the condo on a motorcycle with the suitcase strapped to the back. He then sped alongside the railway tracks, disappearing from view for nine minutes.June 25, 9:57pm to 10:06pm: CCTV footage shows Mr Carman returning to the accommodation.June 26, 11:36am: A friend lodged a missing person report for Ms Tunchanok, telling police they had last seen her with a foreign man.June 26, 2:26pm: Mr Carman is seen leaving his condo.June 26, no time provided: Police gather evidence to request an arrest warrant from the Pattaya Court. Officers find Mr Carman’s passport during the inspection of a hotel room.June 27, 1:15am: Investigative teams from the Pattaya City Police Station and the Immigration Bureau arrest Mr Carman at Suvarnabhumi Airport.June 27, 1:30am: Police discover a suitcase near railway tracks about a 10-minute drive from Mr Carman’s hotel, which contains Ms Tunchanok’s body.
Source: Pattaya City Police Station. The exact timings are unclear, as this timeline contains some discrepancies from previous reports.