Thai teen found in suitcase died from suffocation, police reveal

A 17-year-old Thai girl, Tunchanok Donhomla, who was discovered in a suitcase in Pattaya, Thailand, died from suffocation, according to police. The girl's body was found near a railway track early on June 27, just 15 minutes after her alleged abductor, 45-year-old Australian man Simon Peter Carman, was arrested. Police chief Anek Srathongyoo revealed that Tunchanok's autopsy showed she died from suffocation, but also suffered some brain injury, which was not the cause of death.

The DNA found on Tunchanok's body matched Carman's, suggesting he likely placed her body in the suitcase before dumping it.

Carman has been charged with murder, concealing or moving a body, kidnapping a child between 15 and 18 years old, and taking a child between 15 and 18 years old for an indecent act. He initially admitted to taking Tunchanok out but denied other charges. Police plan to present the case to prosecutors by September 18 for a potential indictment.

CCTV footage reportedly showed Carman entering a condominium with Tunchanok on June 25 and emerging alone carrying a large suitcase later that evening. Carman claimed he had agreed to pay Tunchanok 1,000 baht for sexual services, but they had an argument when he only offered 500 baht. In a video to Tunchanok's family, Carman expressed remorse, saying, "I feel bad for what happened to your daughter.

It was out of my control." Tunchanok's family described her as an only child who lived with her father and stepmother in Kalasin, about 480 kilometers northeast of Pattaya. They were deeply saddened by her death and hoped Carman would face justice. If convicted of murder, Carman could face the death penalty.