Suicide Likely Cause of Joe Ferrari’s Death in Prison

An initial autopsy has indicated that Pol Col Thitisan “Joe Ferrari” Utthanaphon, a former police officer convicted of torturing and killing a drug suspect in 2021, most likely died by suicide in his prison cell. The Central Institute of Forensic Science (CIFS) stated that Thitisan was found hanged at Klong Prem Central Prison in Bangkok on Friday night, with a small towel used as a makeshift noose.

Dr. Worawee Waiyawuth, deputy director of CIFS, reported on Sunday that preliminary findings pointed to suicide as the cause of death. While minor bruising was observed on Thitisan’s back and hip, these were determined to be from old injuries. Bloodstains found on the floor of his cell were attributed to post-mortem bodily fluid seepage, a common occurrence after death, forensic officials said. Further laboratory tests are being conducted to confirm the initial findings.

Thitisan’s relatives, however, remain unconvinced, expressing doubts about the circumstances surrounding his death. They have arranged for a second autopsy to be conducted at Chulalongkorn University. Their concerns stem from past allegations that Thitisan was assaulted by a prison guard. His mother had previously filed a complaint on February 26, claiming that he was attacked after reporting another inmate for violating prison rules.

Authorities continue to investigate, with police reviewing CCTV footage and other evidence. Thitisan had been serving a life sentence and had been incarcerated for three years and six months at the time of his death.

Officials from the Department of Corrections stated that he was found slumped against his cell door at approximately 8:30 p.m. on Friday, with no pulse and bruising on his fingers. The towel around his neck was tied to the door. His death remains under scrutiny, as law enforcement officials work to piece together the events leading up to it.