An Australian man has been arrested in Thailand after the body of a teenage girl was found inside a suitcase. Simon Carman, 45, was taken into custody at Bangkok's Suvarnabhumi International Airport on Friday night, according to the ABC.
Victim identified as 17-year-old Tunchanok Donhomla
The victim, identified as 17-year-old Tunchanok Donhomla, was reported missing by friends after she failed to return home. Investigators allege that Mr Carman, from Ballarat in Victoria, picked up Ms Donhomla from the Beach Road vice strip in Pattaya in the early hours of Thursday morning.
CCTV footage shows hotel entry and exit with suitcase
CCTV released by Thai authorities shows the 45-year-old Australian entering a hotel room with Ms Donhomla, before emerging hours later with a black suitcase. After the teen was reported missing, authorities located her body inside a suitcase approximately 4.2km from the hotel.
Police charge and investigation details
Superintendent of the Pattaya City Police Station Police Colonel Anek Sarathongyu 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. “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.”
The man claims to be innocent, local media reports. He has not been charged with murder. Investigations into the teen’s death remain ongoing.
