On 7 May, Khammouane Provincial Police arrested a 39-year-old Chinese national, Lai Hongfu, on charges of murdering his 25-year-old Lao girlfriend.
The incident occurred on the morning of 22 April. According to the investigation, the victim approached the Chinese national in the living room to request her passport, intending to travel to Thailand.
Lai, an employee of Yunnan Jiangtou Company, resided in Dongtai Village, Thakhek district, Khammouane Province, claimed he had not seen it.
He then made unwanted advances, which she rejected, asking him instead to bring the passport to her room. As she walked away, Lai reportedly became suspicious that she intended to meet another man in Thailand. This led to a heated argument.
After the murder, which reportedly happened in the woman’s bedroom, he took her gold necklace and phone, allegedly with the intention of destroying evidence.
The investigation revealed that the 39-year-old even considered setting the room on fire but was interrupted by a knock at the door from one of the woman’s friends. Lai briefly spoke to the friend before returning to his own room. He then hid the victim’s belongings in a bathroom near his quarters and fled the scene in her pickup truck.
Police received the murder report on 22 April, and immediately launched an investigation. The Khammuane Provincial Police Criminal Investigation Division identified Lai as the primary suspect. Police apprehended the man on 7 May at 8:00 PM while he was dining at a restaurant in Dongtai village.
During questioning, Lai confessed to being in a romantic relationship with Phimmasone and to committing the murder following the argument. On 8 May, police escorted Lai to the crime scene for a re-enactment as part of the case file. He has since been handed over to the prosecutor’s office for further legal proceedings.