Thitim ‘Bell’ Noraphanpiphat, 25, was found dead in the lobby of the Casa Condo Ratchada-Ratchaphruek building in the Talat Phlu area of the Thailand capital
The mystery surrounding the death of a model found inside a Bangkok apartment block has deepened as authorities reveal her body was dumped there up to ten hours after she died.
Thitim ‘Bell’ Noraphanpiphat, 25, was found dead in the lobby of the Casa Condo Ratchada-Ratchaphruek building in the Talat Phlu area of the Thailand capital in the early hours of September 17.
Chilling footage appeared to show a man carrying her body into the building’s elevator, before taking her into the lobby, placing her on the floor and walking away.
The man, who was questioned by police, claimed he took the model to his home when she was ‘too drunk’ to tell him her address following a social event.
The man, who was released after questioning, admitted he took Ms Noraphanpiphat into the lobby while she was unconscious, but said he did nothing wrong.
On Tuesday afternoon, police said forensics investigations had determined the young model died between six and ten hours before her body was left in the lobby, local media reported.
‘The factor surrounding the time of death is forcing us to reevaluate some of the existing evidence and witnesses we have,’ Samrit Tongtao from Bukkhalo Police Station told local news site Coconuts.
The mystery into the death of Ms Noraphanpiphat has deepened, as authorities revealed her body was in the building lobby for up to ten hours before it was found
Authorities said they are now looking into the smartwatch Ms Noraphanpiphat was wearing at the time, with information from the device likely to pinpoint to moment her heart stopped beating.
While autopsy results have not been released publicly, initial findings suggest she may have died due to alcohol poisoning, according to local media.
The Bangkok Post reported her blood alcohol concentration level was 418 milligrams per 100 millilitres.
Other media quoted police sources as saying Ms Noraphanpiphat died due to a sudden acute heart attack.
The official autopsy results are expected to be released in the coming days.
Samrit Tongtao (pictured) of the Bukkhalo Police Station told Thai media that the young model died between 3pm and 7pm on September 16
Thitim ‘Bell’ Noraphanpiphat, 25, was found dead in the building’s lobby
Video earlier emerged of Ms Noraphanpiphat passed out at a private party, where she was hired to appear.
A friend of hers told police she received a message from the young model that said she’d been drinking since midday.
Videos show her passed out at the party, while another photo shows her collapsed on the floor of a car.
Other footage showed the man questioned by police dragging Ms Noraphanpiphat’s body into a lift.
Chilling footage showed a man dragging Ms Noraphanpiphat’s body through a lobby and into an elevator (pictured)
A friend of hers told police she received a message from the young model that said she’d been drinking since midday
She was in the man’s room for six hours before he placed her in the lobby.
The woman’s body had no visible injuries but investigators allege she may have been sexually assaulted.
In social media posts, the man denied he had done anything to hurt Ms Noraphanpiphat.
‘I promise I won’t run away because I’m innocent. I may be a jokester, but I’m a gentleman… If you’re listening Bell, please understand me,’ he said.
Chilling CCTV footage showed Ms Noraphanpiphat in a state where she appeared to be limp as she was being dragged into a lift by a man
The 25-year-old boasted more than 73,000 Instagram followers at the time of her death and her fans flocked to her Instagram page to pay tribute to her
Ms Noraphanpiphat boasted more than 73,000 Instagram followers at the time of her death and her fans flocked to her social media pages to pay tribute to her.
‘RIP, Belle, wish you happiness in the next world,’ one person wrote.
Others wished that she was in a better place now.
Another wrote: ‘Was shocked by the news.’
The woman’s body had no visible injuries but investigators allege she may have been sexually assaulted
In the CCTV footage, Ms Noraphanpiphat looks limp as she is dragged into a lift by a man