Authorities are urgently searching for a "British man" who allegedly shot his Thai wife dead outside a homestay in Maha Sarakham province before fleeing with a firearm. The suspect's pickup truck was found abandoned in Khon Kaen.
On 27 January 2026 at 11:30 a.m., Police Lieutenant Manoch Mononthee, the duty investigator at Don Wan Police Station, Maha Sarakham, received a report of a fatal shooting at a homestay in Khok Ko subdistrict, Mueang district, Maha Sarakham. He then notified the Khok Ko Subdistrict Rescue Unit, Maha Sarakham Hospital rescue team, forensic officials, and medical examiners to inspect the scene and reported the incident to his superiors.
At the scene, numerous locals and relatives arrived upon hearing the news. In the yard in front of the house lay the body of Ms. Pattaree Uraphanom, known as Pia, aged 44, lying on her back wearing a white T-shirt and black jeans. Near the body was a black-red Yamaha Mio 125i motorcycle registered in Lopburi. Officials cordoned off the area with tape to prevent entry.
Forensic officials and medical examiners from Maha Sarakham Hospital conducted a joint autopsy, finding a gunshot wound entering the left temple and exiting the right. A .38 caliber bullet casing was found near a flower pot about four meters from the incident site.
The suspect was identified as MR. ANTHONY JAMES CONDRON, aged 58, British nationality. After the shooting, he fled in a white four-door pickup truck, believed to be heading into Mueang Maha Sarakham district, possibly to pick up his daughter and son who study in town. Police have already visited the school to maintain security. Later, officers found the suspect's pickup abandoned in Khon Kaen province.
Mr. Jamlong Boonmaprom, 66, uncle of the deceased, said he was at the homestay at the time. Pia, his niece, arrived on her motorcycle when Tony suddenly confronted her in English. Mr. Jamlong told Tony to stop and calm down, using gestures to soothe him, but Pia did not respond. Suddenly, Tony drew a gun and shot Pia immediately.
At this time, Pia was staying at her mother's house in the village because her mother was ill. However, when Tony called, she would come to see him. Normally, Tony had a bad temper and was often abusive, but they had lived together for over 10 years and had two children: an older daughter in grade 11 and a younger son in grade 6. No one expected it to escalate to murder.
Police Major General Paladetch Nongwango, commander of Maha Sarakham Provincial Police, inspected the scene and said initial reports indicated a shooting at 11:30 a.m. The suspect, a foreigner, shot his Thai wife, likely due to a family dispute. The suspect, MR. ANTHONY JAMES CONDRON, reportedly contacted a friend in Chonburi province expressing intent to surrender but remains at large with a firearm.
Maha Sarakham Provincial Police investigative teams, Don Wan Police investigation unit, and Immigration Police Region 4 have been coordinating a close manhunt. The suspect has not surrendered, fearing retaliation from the wife's numerous relatives. Police urged the suspect to surrender, assuring a safe handover location and protection.
Mrs. Thaworn Boonkem, 66, another aunt of the victim, said Pia loved Tony very much, always feeding him whenever possible. When Tony called, Pia would come immediately. Recently, with Pia's mother ill at home in the village, Pia cared for her. Today, Tony called Pia; when she was late arriving at the homestay, Tony became angry and shot her.
She added that earlier that morning, Pia told her mother Tony had called, likely wanting to eat and that Pia intended to check on Tony at his garden. Mrs. Thaworn, who was present, encouraged Pia to go care for her husband. Pia brought two bottles of water and food before returning to the homestay garden.
Then Mrs. Thaworn went to water the sugarcane field but had only watered a few rows when neighbors from the rice mill ran over to inform her that Pia had been shot dead by Tony. She fainted in the sugarcane field. Tony was known for being willful, hot-tempered, and addicted to drugs. Relatives mostly avoided him; only his daughter was close to him.
She expressed hope that police would quickly apprehend Tony, asking for the village guardian's blessing for his capture. Pia was a capable and beloved person in the village, always helping with community and government projects. The village headman ranked her second in leadership. Pia spoke multiple languages and had been with Tony for over 10 years.
Authorities are reportedly intensifying efforts to arrest the suspect and prosecute him under the law. A warrant will be issued, and Immigration will be notified to urgently revoke his visa. The public is urged to report any sightings of the suspect to police immediately or call 191.