Australian resort owner murdered in Krabi

Pol Capt Tirakorn Thairit from Ao Nang Police Station was informed of the incident by Krabi Hospital on Sunday afternoon, confirming that Mr Heppell had died from his injuries.

Mr Heppell had suffered multiple stab wounds to his right chest, piercing his lungs, and several slash wounds to his right arm.

Police confirmed that the incident happened at the bar at the resort, which is an outdoor area near the beach. Officers found blood on the ground and about 50 metres away they found a 30cm kitchen knife stained with blood.

Peerachat Songsri, 24, a resident of Songkhla province who lived in Krabi, surrendered himself at Ao Nang Police Station for the murder, police confirmed.

Staff at the resort told police that it was lunchtime when the incident occurred. There were no staff at the scene at the time. Mr Heppell was at the bar with some resort guests.

Peerachat came to meet Mr Heppell to talk about outstanding salary for his wife, who had been fired. Staff said they believed that Mr Heppell might have cut some amount from her final pay, making the man angry.

During the meeting, Peerachat ran into the kitchen and brought back a cooking knife. He stabbed Mr Heppell before fleeing on his motorcycle. The guests at the resort rushed Mr Heppell to Krabi Hospital, where he was later pronounced dead.

Peerachat has been charged with manslaughter. He admitted his guilt but has not yet clarified the details of the cause of the murder, police said.

Peerachat is being held for further questioning. Officers will contact his wife also for more questioning, police said. 

Mr Heppell was celebrating his 57th birthday when he was confronted by Peerachat at the resort, which he named in honour of his 6-month-old daughter who died when the tsunami struck Phuket on Dec 26, 2004. 

Before moving to Krabi, Mr Heppell was a long-term expat resident in Phuket. Well known, and well liked, he has been widely described as a ‘larger than life’ character.

He was also a well known Aussie Rules footballer, in his youth playing with North Beach Football Club in his hometown of Perth. Mr Heppell, who also went by the nickname ‘Whale’, was also a founding player for the Tigers Australian Rules Football Club.

“The Thailand Tigers are deeply saddened by the tragic passing of Peter ’Whale’ Heppell. Our thoughts are with his daughter Aly, his family and all his friends,” the club posted on their official Facebook page.

“We all have such wonderful memories of Whale. As one of the original Tigers, he has been a great friend to Tigers old and new. His love for the Tigers was second only to that of his family.

“Rest in peace Whale! The Tigers are poorer for your loss.”

Other messages of condolences and grief have flooded Mr Heppell’s Facebook page since news of his passing has spread.

“RIP Peter - another legend gone. Spent many a good night at the Whale bar in Tha Lane,” said fellow Aussie and long-term Phuket expat Harry Usher.

“Rest In Peace Peter. Will miss you brother,” wrote Jeff Rowe. “RIP dear friend,” said Viktoriya Edmunds. “Oh my god. Terrible news. Thoughts are with Whale’s family,” wrote Tony Carter.

“We are devastated to post that Peter’s life was taken suddenly and violently on his 57th birthday in Krabi, Thailand. Peter will be remembered as a larger than life character, who walked to the beat of his own drum and lived life to the fullest…

“He survived motorbike accidents and miraculously the Boxing Day Tsunami! Peter loved his daughter Aly, the ocean, beer, footy and Thailand. 

“The family is so grateful that we were able to spend time with him recently. Now reunited with baby Melina… Our hearts are breaking,” wrote his sister Karen Bormolini.