On July 17, six people, including two American citizens of Vietnamese origin and four Vietnamese nationals, were found dead in a luxury hotel suite in Bangkok, Thailand. The grisly scene was uncovered after hotel staff entered the room, following the group failing to check out.

The deceased were identified as Thi Nguyen Phuong, 46, her husband Hong Pham Thanh, 49, Thi Nguyen Phuong Lan, 47, Dinh Tran Phu, 37, Sherine Chong, 56, and Dang Hung Van, 55. The group had reportedly convened to discuss a failed $280,000 investment in a hospital project in Japan, with Chong allegedly owing the other five.

The victims checked into separate rooms over the weekend, with Chong in Room 502. On Monday, they gathered in her suite, where food and tea were delivered around 2:00PM. Chong, described as visibly stressed, received the order alone before the others joined her. Following the group convening, security footage showed no one else entering or leaving the room, which was locked from the inside.

Upon entering the room, police found uneaten meals and used teacups containing traces of cyanide. Initial autopsies confirmed cyanide poisoning, indicated by dark purple lips and nails, and blood-red internal organs. Cyanide, a highly lethal chemical, starves the body’s cells of oxygen, causing rapid death.

Police suspect that one of the victims, driven by financial distress, poisoned the others. This theory is supported by the presence of metal containers, not belonging to the hotel, found near the poisoned teacups. The ongoing investigation has yet to pinpoint the exact perpetrator.

Thai Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin visited the scene, assuring the public that the incident was a private matter and posed no broader security threat. U.S. State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller extended condolences to the families and confirmed ongoing monitoring of the situation.