Accused killer Simon Peter Carman reportedly “broke down” after getting a text message from his mum in the aftermath of his arrest for the murder of 17-year-old Tunchanok Donhomla.
The WA man is accused of killing the teen and stuffing her body in suitcase before dumping it near railway tracks in Pattaya and trying to flee the country on a Jetstar flight to Perth.
It is understood that the accused killer’s mother, Wendy Carman, had initially believed CCTV footage showing her son with the teenage girl before her death, was generated using AI as part of a scam.
But after seeing her son pictured in the media for the alleged murder of Ms Tunchanok, Ms Carman sent him a frantic message, a police source has told the Daily Mail.
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According to reports, the first message Mr Carman saw after authorities returned his mobile phone following his arrest, was from his mother.
“There is a period of time after his arrest but before the first court appearance, when a judge decides whether a suspect gets bail or is moved to a detention centre,” a police source said told the publisher.
“During those hours, if it’s no longer needed as part of police evidence, you can use your phone.”
The source added that Mr Carman became emotional after reading the contents of his mother’s message.
“He broke down and said, ‘Even my mum’s heard about it,”’ they added.
“He got very upset when he read that message from her, and I think the reality of the situation finally sank in.
“He had given his statement in a very matter-of-fact way before that.
Mr Carman is charged with the teen’s murder and is being held in Pattaya Remand Prison.
He faces the death penalty or life imprisonment if convicted.
