Crime
New Zealander Arrested in Chiang Mai for Allegedly Masterminding the Murder of his 76 Year-Old Mother
CHIANG MAI – Police in the Northern city of Chiang Mai have arrested a 50 year-old New Zealand-Korean man for allegedly masterminding the murder of his 76 year-old mother from South Korea.
Brian Lee, 50, was arrested and charged with masterminding the murder of An Jung Ja, 76, at his house in the Mountain View village in Tambon San Phisua in Chiang Mai’s Muang district on Thursday.
Earlier, Lee claimed his mother had a quarrel with her daughter-in-law, Park Songhee, who then stabbed her to death out of anger. Lee said his mother became angry at Park’s and grabbed her daughter-in-law and slammed her head against the wall and injuring her, before Park then stabbed her.
However after studying the forensic evidence and security-camera footage, police concluded that Lee was lying about the quarrel and took part in the killing of his mother.
His wife Park Songhee is presently under police watch at Chiang Mai Hospital.
Police said Lee’s mother had several apartments and businesses in South Korea, and Lee had brought her to live with them in Chiang Mai six months ago.