46-year-old Australian arrested at airport, suspected of murdering 17-year-old found dead in suitcase in Thailand

A 46-year-old Australian citizen has been arrested by authorities in Thailand on suspicion of committing the brutal murder of a 17-year-old girl, whose body was discovered hidden in a suitcase.

He was detained at Suvarnabhumi International Airport in Bangkok as he was attempting to secure a flight ticket to Perth, Australia. A representative of Pattaya police told AFP that the 46-year-old was arrested after questioning, while he continues to deny the accusations.

Police were able to identify the suspect after reviewing security camera footage. According to investigators, the recordings show him entering a building in Pattaya’s tourist area together with the 17-year-old during the night between Wednesday and Thursday.

A few hours later, the same man was captured on camera leaving the building alone while struggling to drag a large black suitcase, which he later loaded onto the back of a scooter.

A day later, officers found the suitcase discarded near railway tracks. Inside it was the body of the 17-year-old, and according to local media, signs of injuries were found on it.

Authorities are now awaiting the official results of the autopsy and laboratory analyses in order to determine the exact cause of death and deepen the charges against the 46-year-old.

He is expected to be charged with murder, kidnapping a minor for sexual motives, and concealing the body.