CHIANG MAI, Thailand –– Thai police have enlisted the help of Interpol to track down a Moroccan national suspected of murdering Dr. Sammy (Mr. Thitikarn Kulikanon), a well-known transgender aesthetic doctor and owner of a prominent medical clinic in Chiang Mai, Dec. 7. Authorities revealed the suspect has fled to Hong Kong.
The victim’s body was discovered yesterday on the third floor of the clinic located in Mae Hia, Mueang District, Chiang Mai. Dr. Sammy had been strangled to death, and her body had been decomposing for at least three days.
Investigation of the crime scene and nearby CCTV footage identified the primary suspect as Mr. Bilal Chefinu, a Moroccan national and the victim’s ex-boyfriend. The pair had been in a relationship but broke up two years ago. An arrest warrant for premeditated murder has been issued.
The victim’s sister, who discovered the body, reported that Dr. Sammy lived at the clinic with the suspect. On the night of December 4, at around 8:00 PM, the suspect was seen leaving the premises around 2:00 AM on December 5, driving the victim’s car and taking her two iPhones and a Rolex watch.
Police examined surveillance footage and found that Mr. Chefinu abandoned the victim’s car near the inner moat road in Chiang Mai. He then walked to Loi Kroh Road, where he hailed a tuk-tuk to Chiang Mai International Airport. On the morning of December 5, he boarded AirAsia Flight FD515 to Hong Kong.
Lieutenant General Kritthapol Yisakhon, Commander of Region 5 Provincial Police, and Major General Tawat Chai Pongwiwat, Chiang Mai Provincial Police Chief, are overseeing the case. Thai police are coordinating with Interpol in Hong Kong to apprehend the suspect and bring him to justice.
