Not one, not two, but 12 friends and acquaintances are accused of killing Sararat Rangsiwuthaporn, who was arrested in Bangkok last Tuesday following investigations into the death of a friend.

Thai police have arrested her on suspicion of murdering 12 of her friends with cyanide, according to the BBC.

The tangle began to unravel when relatives of one of the victims had reported to the authorities that he had died after a trip he had made with the arrested woman earlier in April. Two weeks ago, they had traveled to Ratchaburi province, where they took part in a Buddhist ceremony at a river. Not long after, her friend collapsed on the banks and breathed her last.

During the forensic examination, traces of cyanide were found on her body, while her personal items, such as her mobile phone and purse, were missing.

Authorities said the other alleged victims had died in a similar manner, but did not release further information. The killings began in 2020, they said.

The police claim that Sararat killed them for financial reasons while she has denied all charges. According to police, one of her victims had loaned her a substantial amount of money, while relatives of others also reported missing jewelry and cash.

Among the dead are two female police officers.

In many of the cases, the families did not suspect that the death was the result of homicide and proceeded to cremate their dead as normal. This fact will make data collection difficult.

Cyanide can be detected in the body even months after death if a lethal dose was used.