National —
Thai national media provided an update on the case of Yan Ruimin, a 38-year-old Chinese student and TikTok star who went missing on July 2nd after a ransom demand of 1 million yuan (approximately 5 million baht). On July 13th, at 10:30 AM, Thai investigators found a body believed to be Yan’s in a grassy area in Chachoengsao.
Thai police and relevant agencies tracked Yan’s phone signal to Chachoengsao and reviewed CCTV footage from July 1-3. The footage revealed that her alleged friend, Qingyan Ma, had rented a car and taken her there. Yan’s burned suitcase was later found in the area. Ma subsequently left his apartment in the Srinakarin area of Bangkok and flew to Hong Kong that same afternoon.
From July 4-6, Yan’s WeChat Pay was used in Macau. Investigators believe Ma is linked to Yan’s disappearance.
Yan’s body was discovered buried 20 centimeters deep under waste tiles in Mueang Chachoengsao, approximately 1 km from where her suitcase was found. An initial autopsy revealed that the body had been buried for over ten days and was severely decomposed due to stagnant water in the soil.
Bloodstains were found in Ma’s Bangkok apartment and rental car. DNA tests are being conducted to compare the blood to Yan’s father’s DNA.
Yan’s family, unaware of her relationship with Ma, were notified by her brother-in-law, who received the ransom call.
Ma, the suspect, has since traveled to Macau. Once Yan’s identity is confirmed, authorities will seek an international warrant for Ma’s arrest and coordinate with international agencies to bring him to justice.
However, the motive behind the murder of Yan was not publicly revealed by Thai police as of press time, noted TPN.
This article originally appeared on our sister website The Pattaya News.
