A woman in Thailand dubbed “Ms. Cyanide” smiled as she was sentenced to death for killing her friend with the fast-acting poison — as she faces accusations of fatally poisoning 13 other wealthy friends who she swindled thousands of dollars from.
Sararat Rangsiwuthaporn, 36 — nicknamed “Ms. Cyanide” by Thai media — was convicted on Wednesday of poisoning her friend Siriporn Kanwong, 32, in the first of her 14 murder trials, CBS reported.
Traces of cyanide were found in the victim’s body and her money, phone and bags were missing following the pair’s trip to Ratchaburi province, west of Bangkok, in April 2023.
After arresting Rangsiwuthaporn, police uncovered other similar deaths dating back to 2015, including one person she allegedly targeted who survived, according to the BBC.
During the fatal trip, Kanwong collapsed and died after having a meal with Rangsiwuthaporn, who did not try to save her, investigators said.
Police said that Rangsiwuthaporn, who pleaded not guilty to the charges against her, has a gambling addiction and targeted wealthy friends she swindled thousands of dollars from and refused to pay back.
Rangsiwuthaporn was smiling when she was handed down a death sentence, according to the BBC.
Rangsiwuthaporn’s ex-husband Vitoon Rangsiwuthaporn was sentenced to a year and four months in prison after likely helping her poison an ex-boyfriend, Suthisak Poonkwan.
A former police officer and Rangsiwuthaporn’s lawyer were also sentenced to two years for helping her hide evidence to evade prosecution.
According to BBC, they had also pleaded not guilty before Wednesday’s sentencing.
Rangsiwuthaporn was also ordered to pay Kanwong’s family two million baht ($57,667).
Rangsiwuthaporn faces 13 more separate murder trials and has been charged with around 80 offenses in total.
The use of cyanide in Thailand is heavily regulated and those who use it without authorization can face up to two years in prison.