Although suicide is suspected, an autopsy to confirm cause of death will be held, and forensics experts will examine the knife for hand and fingerprints.
His girlfriend, Karnjana Sonkeaw, 35, who found Mr Leppert’s body, told police that she had received about 80 calls and many text messages in the past few days from Mr Leppert, expressing his depression at the worsening state of their relationship.
The two had lived together for about a year, Ms Karnjana explained, when she began a relationship with another expatriate.
She had been staying at a friend’s home since yesterday. This morning, she received a final text message saying, “Hope you will be happy. Good luck.”
Concerned, she called Mr Leppert who told her that he planned to kill himself. She went to his house and found his body.