Rita Odafe
A Tragic Incident of Domestic Violence
A 63-year-old man is reported to have killed his wife and then took his own life in a shocking murder-suicide case, according to an inquest.
Richard Parks, along with his wife Suratchanee ‘Lat’ Parks, aged 53, was found deceased in their residence in Tunbridge Wells, Kent.
Details revealed during the inquest indicate that Parks suffered severe stab wounds to his neck and was discovered holding a knife.
His wife was found in the bathtub, exhibiting neck injuries typical of strangulation, with multiple knife wounds and signs of being struck with a hammer, as reported by Kent Online.
Dr. Virginia Fitzpatrick-Swallow, the pathologist, noted additional injuries on Lat, suggesting she attempted to fight back against her husband.
The couple met while Lat was in Thailand, where she had a son before relocating to the UK with Parks. Initially, their marriage was characterized as “happy and without issues.” However, Parks had recently been under stress due to a significant tax obligation and had been struggling with his mental health, which delayed their planned move back to Thailand.
On February 23, family members checked on the couple after becoming worried for their well-being.
Neighbors reported hearing “hysterical” screams when the bodies were discovered.
Authorities found blood in various areas, including the kitchen and living room, alongside a red folder containing cash, a chainsaw, and a pruning saw in the bathroom.
Detective Constable Jessica Summers confirmed that the investigation uncovered no evidence of external involvement.
Coroner Roger Hatch declared Lat’s death a homicide and confirmed that her husband had died by suicide.
Robert Parks, Richard’s brother, expressed sorrow over the situation, stating, “This is a terribly sad situation. Only those two will ever know exactly what happened. They loved each other very much… it’s just terribly sad for both families.”
