A Thai housekeeper reportedly inherited 100 million baht (S$3.7 million) worth of assets from her employer after the latter died in Koh Samui, Thailand, on Monday (May 6), Bangkok Post reported.
The employer, 59-year-old French businesswoman Catherine Delacote, was found dead on a daybed next to the swimming pool in her villa with a gunshot wound on her left temple and a gunshot residue on her left wrist.
The Thai housekeeper, 49-year-old Nutwalai Phupongta, said that Delacote was suffering from cancer but did not mention anything to her about committing suicide.
She believes her employer committed suicide.
Sent messages saying she would give assets to housekeeper
Prior to her death, Delacote reportedly transferred 500,000 baht (S$18,300) to Nutwalai to settle the cost of her funeral.
The French businesswoman had also sent messages to several people, saying that she would give her assets to Nutwalai, who had been her housekeeper for 17 years.
Delacote's assets at the time of her death included five pool villas on Koh Samui, a 3,200 square meter land plot near one of her villas, cash, a car, and other assets.
Delacote also owns a hotel business with a registered capital of 2 million baht (S$73,300), according to Khaosod English.
According to Nutwalai, Delacote and her ex-husband, who is also French, moved to Koh Samui 12 years ago.
The pair eventually divorced and Delacote lived at the villa alone.
Body found by pool maintenance worker
Delacote's body was found at about 8am on Monday (May 6) by a pool maintenance worker.
The worker proceeded to call his supervisor to inform the police.
A medical team from a nearby hospital was also summoned. They moved Delacote's body to the floor and tried to resuscitate her before the police arrived.
Local station inspector Pol Maj Yannaphat Malai said that a 45mm automatic firearm, a bullet shell, a glass of vodka, a pair of sunglasses, and a pack of cigarettes were also found near Delacote's body.
A gunshot hole was found on the house's door and a used bullet was found inside the villa.
According to Nutwalai, Delacote came into possession of the gun found at the scene after a prior break-in robbery at the villa.
Assets currently on hold
The transfer of Delacote's 100 million baht (S$3.7 million) assets to Nutwalai is proving to be a complicated process, however.
Delacote's assets are currently on hold as Thailand authorities are investigating whether Nutwalai can inherit the assets right away, Bangkok Post reported.
Officials are also investigating the shareholdings proportion in Delacote's company which runs a hotel business.
The company, GVNE, had three shareholders.
Delacote held 49 per cent stake in the business, a Thai businessman holds 35 per cent shares, and a Thai businesswoman holds 16 per cent shares.
The president of the Tourism Association of Koh Samui said that the two Thai shareholders might have to approve the transfer of the assets.
Thai officials are also investigating if Delacote's company illegally involved Thai proxies.
Should that be the case, the Thai Interior Ministry could sell the company's assets.
Top image via @QUANGLE_052023/X and Supapong Chaolan/Bangkok Post.