A 36-year-old Thai woman was found dead inside a freezer at her boyfriend’s workplace in Taichung, Taiwan, six days after police say she was allegedly strangled during a dispute in a Taipei hotel.
The woman had arrived in Taiwan on Sept 2 and checked into a hotel in the Ximending area of Taipei. Her family lost contact with her, prompting Taiwanese friends to report her missing to police on Sept 8.
Investigators reviewing surveillance footage identified a 43-year-old Taiwanese man, surnamed Wu, as a suspect. Police said he entered the woman’s hotel room on Sept 12 and was later seen leaving the hotel in the early hours of Sept 13 carrying a large suitcase.
He allegedly placed the suitcase in the trunk of his car before driving to Taichung, where he worked in an administrative role at a technology company. Police later searched the workplace and found the woman’s body inside a freezer early on Sept 19.
A preliminary examination indicated that the woman had been strangled. Police said Wu told investigators that he became angry after she asked to end their relationship and claimed that he had killed her accidentally. The two had reportedly been in a relationship for about a year after meeting while Wu was travelling in Thailand.
The case took an unusual turn when colleagues reportedly questioned why a large freezer had appeared at the workplace. Reports said Wu allegedly told them that he had bought ingredients for the upcoming Mid-Autumn Festival. The details are part of media reports about the investigation and have not been established as court findings.
A Taichung court later approved prosecutors’ request to formally detain Wu, citing the seriousness of the suspected crime and concerns that he could flee or destroy evidence. The investigation remains ongoing.
The case has also drawn attention in Thailand, where reports said the victim’s relatives are seeking assistance with the return of her remains and guidance on possible compensation proceedings.
Authorities have not announced a final determination of the circumstances surrounding the death. Wu remains a suspect, and the allegations will be subject to Taiwan’s judicial process as prosecutors continue investigating the case.
