Expat arrested for stabbing mother-in-law to death in Chiang Mai

Brian Lee (center) presents two letters, which he claimed were written by his wife, to police. Screenshot: T News
Brian Lee (center) presents two letters, which he claimed were written by his wife, to police. Screenshot: T News

A 27-year-old South Korean woman has been arrested for killing her mother-in-law, who police said suffered from Alzheimer’s and had originally escaped from North Korea years ago, at their Chiang Mai home today. 

When police arrived at their home in Muang district at 4am, they found the victim, An Jung Ja, 76, lying dead on her bed. A kitchen knife protruding from her chest.

The deceased’s son, Brian Lee, 54, told police that his young wife, Park Sueng-hee, stabbed his mother to death after an argument escalated that night.

Following an initial investigation, police said Lee’s family was originally from North Korea, but managed to escape and established themselves in South Korea.

It was unclear when the family had moved to Thailand, but the mother-in-law, who suffered from dementia, moved in with the couple just four months ago, reported Thairath.

The alleged killer appeared stressed and threatened to harm herself when police arrived. After observing bruises on her face and body, police sent her to hospital. Nevertheless, she has been charged with physical assault leading to the death of another person.

At the scene, Lee also presented the police with two letters, which he claimed were written by his wife. The first letter was reportedly written before the murder and describes Park’s rocky relationship with her in-law, while the second letter was written after the murder to express her reasons for the killing.

Whether or not the letters were actually written by his wife has yet to be verified as the investigation is ongoing.

Mae Ping Police refused to speak to Coconuts, saying that they are working on the case.

We will update the story when more information emerges.



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