The mangled body of a U.S. woman who went missing earlier this month was found Saturday at a Thai national park outside Bangkok.
Given the severe nature of the wounds to her body, the woman – whose name was withheld – is believed to have been trampled to death by elephants in the Kaeng Krachan National Park in Petchaburi province, police concluded yesterday.
“Her arms, her wrists and other parts of the body were broken, so we assumed she was trampled by elephants because no humans could have caused such powerful damage to the body,” said Police Col. Woradet Suanklaai. Her body, which was found after five days of searching following her Jan. 13 disappearance, was sent for forensic examination in Bangkok.
The woman, believed to be in her 20s, was traveling by herself when she left a campsite, probably to photograph wildlife.
“Looking at the pictures she took in her camera, we see a lot of animals, birds, snakes, lizards,” Woradet said. “We assumed she wanted to take pictures of elephants because that’s what the Kaeng Krachan National Park is famous for. We believed she wanted to find them and take some photos.”
Located southwest of Bangkok near the Myanmar border, Kaeng Krachan is Thailand’s biggest national park, covering nearly 3,000 square kilometers.
Her death was confirmed by U.S. Embassy staff, Associated Press reported.
Photo: Christian Haugen
