Chumphon: The family of a health official murdered by her soon-to-be husband has vowed not to cremate her until they receive justice, after also pointing the finger at the alleged killer's lover.
The family held the first night of funeral rites for Nontiya Kruajaturas, 25, at their home yesterday.
Nontiya, a dental health official, was found dead by a colleague early on Tuesday morning in the residential compound of the hospital where she worked.
Police said she was killed by a shotgun blast allegedly fired by Ronnachai Panchart whom she planned to marry on Sunday.
Mr Ronnachai admitted killing Nontiya in her living quarters, according to the Chumphon provincial police chief.
He was detained for questioning but has not been formally charged with murder as police were seeking a court-approved warrant for his arrest.
Mr Ronnachai reportedly had a blazing row with Nontiya after she found out he was having an affair with a younger woman from his office. He also refused to leave the second woman.
Local police are also expanding their investigation to determine if the second woman had a role in the murder.
Authorities are still looking for the murder weapon.
Nontiya's family yesterday told guests attending her funeral that they planned to delay her cremation until justice is done. They said they had no faith in the police investigation.
Nontiya's parents believe the woman Mr Ronnachai was seeing was also involved in their daughter's murder.
She may have driven Mr Ronnachai to Nontiya's residential compound and picked him up after he shot her, according to the family.
The father, Mr Chao, said that about a month before the murder, Nontiya told him that Mr Ronnachai was seeing another woman.
Nontiya had several rows with Mr Ronnachai over the affair which sometimes ended with her being beaten up, he said.
He also said Nontiya had confronted the other woman several times, adding that he found it hard to believe the other woman has no knowledge about his daughter's murder.
Mr Ronnachai was reportedly seen being driven to Nontiya's living quarters on the night of the murder. According to Mr Chao, Mr Ronnachai does not own a car.
Mr Chao added that after the killing, the dowry money and gold for the wedding day, as well as money in the couple's joint bank account had gone. He said his daughter had also helped Mr Ronnachai in money matters because he was not financially secure.
