A 62-year-old British man has been arrested in Thailand in connection with the murder of his Thai wife over two decades ago.
Immigration police apprehended David Stuart Armitage on Thursday at a residence in Kanchanaburi province, where he had been living. Authorities revoked his stay in Thailand to expedite his repatriation to the UK, where he is wanted for allegedly killing Lamduan Seekanya in 2004.
Armitage is currently being held at the Immigration Bureau in Bangkok while arrangements are made for his deportation to Britain.
Murder Case Spanning Two Decades
The case traces back to September 20, 2004, when hikers discovered Lamduan’s body face-down in a stream in the Yorkshire Dales near Pen-y-ghent, about 65 kilometers northwest of Leeds. The 36-year-old mother of three was found wearing only socks and jeans, with a torn bra hanging from her arm and a T-shirt nearby. Her shoes were never recovered.
Local residents, moved by the tragic discovery, funded her burial in Horton-in-Ribblesdale, where she became known as “The Lady of the Hills.” The case remained unsolved for years, with little information about her identity or what had happened to her.
Breakthrough in a Cold Case
In 2016, advances in forensic technology allowed police to reopen the cold case, leading to the conclusion that Lamduan had been murdered. In 2019, the case took a significant turn when her parents in Udon Thani, Thailand, read a BBC article about the mystery woman. Recognizing details that matched their missing daughter, they contacted authorities, and DNA testing confirmed Lamduan’s identity.
Lamduan met Armitage in Chiang Mai while he was teaching English. After their marriage, the couple moved to the UK in 1991 and settled in northern England. It was during this time that Lamduan tragically lost her life, though the exact circumstances of her death remain unclear.
Arrest and Extradition
Armitage’s arrest is a major development in the decades-old murder case. Thai authorities have cooperated with British officials to ensure his swift repatriation. He is expected to face legal proceedings in the UK following his deportation.
The story of “The Lady of the Hills” has captivated both nations, with this arrest marking a significant step toward justice for Lamduan and her family.
