Suspect in murder of woman near Hyde Park has fled UK, police believe
The suspect in the murder of a property developer in a £4 million building near Hyde Park is believed to have fled the country, police have revealed.
Kamonnan Thiamphanit, who was known as Angela to her friends, was found dead at the Airbnb property she was renting in Bayswater, central London, last week.
The 27-year-old, who had dual Chinese-Hong Kong and Thai nationality, had suffered multiple stab wounds, the opening of her inquest was told.
Detective Chief Inspector Alison Foxwell, the senior investigating officer in the investigation, also said police believed her attacker was known to her.
Det Ch Insp Foxwell told Westminster Coroner’s Court: “Angela, which is what she was known as whilst in the UK, had been renting out 6 Stanhope Place as an Airbnb property.
“We believe that the person who attacked her was known to her.
“At some point ... she was attacked, which caused her death. We have a named individual we are looking for at this moment.”
However, when asked by Senior Coroner Prof Fiona Wilcox whether anyone was to be imminently charged with Ms Thiamphanit’s murder, Det Ch Insp Foxwell revealed that the suspect had fled the country.
She said: “I think it unlikely anyone will be imminently charged. We are requesting with the CPS [Crown Prosecution Service] whether we have sufficient evidence to extradite someone from outside the UK, so I think it unlikely.”
Prof Wilcox granted permission for Ms Thiamphanit’s body to be released to her family.
She added that Ms Thiamphanit – whose identity was confirmed via police fingerprint screening – was born in Thailand, was single and worked in property management.
Sympathies to family
Prof Wilcox said: “I understand this young woman was found at her home address and that she died as a result of multiple sharp force injuries.
“Ms Thiamphanit was a single woman who worked in property management and lived at 6 Stanhope Place, London.
“It seems it’s possible for me to release Angela’s body back to her family, seeing as it’s unlikely I will get a request for a second post-mortem examination from a defendant.
“I am going to open this investigation and adjourn it in order for you to carry out your full investigation.
“I would just like to pass my sympathies to Ms Thiamphanit’s family.”
Investigators launched a murder investigation after Ms Thiamphanit was found dead last week at the Grade II-listed property, which is just a stone’s throw from Hyde Park and Marble Arch.
Tony Blair, the former prime minister, owns a home in nearby Connaught Square, as does television presenter Claudia Winkleman. However, it is believed Mr Blair no longer lives in the property.
Multiple neighbours said they had heard several “high-pitched screams” on Sunday April 7, when calls concerning Ms Thiamphanit’s welfare were made by her friends to police at 7.05pm and 9.34pm.
The Met Police has referred itself to the police watchdog, as it was more than 13 hours later that officers visited the house at 8.30am on Monday April 8.
