Thai police are hunting an American fugitive who is suspected of murdering his pregnant wife and going on the run.
Jason Matthew Balzer, 30, allegedly fled the home he shared with his wife Pitchaporn Kidchob, 32, in Nan province, northern Thailand, earlier this week after her disappearance.
Cops have launched a manhunt after he was seen fleeing on a scooter and have since found some of his clothes and a blood-stained mattress from his house. Pitchaporn, who is four months pregnant, is still missing.
Balzer only arrived in Thailand after allegedly jumping bail on assault charges in Longmont, Colorado, in 2019. The pair met in Phuket and dated for a year before marrying.
Pitchaporn’s mother Anong Tanya, 52, said she went to visit the couple after becoming concerned for her daughter, who had not answered her calls since Sunday afternoon.
Pitchaporn’s mother Anong Tanya, 52, said she went to visit the couple on May 3 after becoming worried for her daughter (above), who hadn’t answered her calls since Sunday
She claimed her son-in-law was known for having a ‘bad temper’ so she rushed to check on her daughter on May 3, something she says she ‘always’ does due to worry.
But when Anong arrived at the house, Balzer left riding his motorbike and carrying a bag. The mother was left shocked when she found bloodstains on a bed, washing machine and in other areas around the house
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Balzer only arrived in Thailand after allegedly jumping bail on assault charges in Longmont, Colorado, in 2019.
He was released on bond for physical assault back in 2019 before moving to Thailand the following year.
He was arrested on suspicion of attempted murder after allegedly trying to have sex with his ex-girlfriend, who refused, and attacking her with a gun. The charges were later downgraded to physical assault.
Pitchaporn’s mother Anong said Balzer and her daughter met in Phuket and dated for a year before marrying.
‘He is known to have a bad temper so I always check on my daughter because I’m worried about her,’ she said.
‘When I asked where my daughter was her husband told me something in English that I didn’t understand.
‘He left with a bag despite a storm coming. My daughter’s things were still in the house.
Neighbours claimed the couple were allegedly heard fighting before Balzer rode his motorbike out of the house days before his wife went missing on April 29, according to police interviews
‘I tried to call my daughter’s phone but Jason was holding it. He cancelled the call while it was ringing in front of me.’
More than 20 officers later arrived at the home and said they found more blood in the bedroom, where a mattress was also missing.
The officers deployed sniffer dogs in a bid to trace the woman and were led nine miles away, where the bloodied mattress was discovered on Tuesday.
Meanwhile, an air purifier and Balzer’s shirt, which was stained with blood, were both found in a nearby wasteland.
CCTV footage allegedly shows Balzer riding away on a motorbike while carrying a black rucksack, which is believed to have contained the items of clothing.
Neighbours claimed the couple were allegedly heard fighting before Balzer rode his motorbike out of the house just days before his wife went missing on April 29, according to police interviews.
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Officers found a mattress missing at the home and deployed sniffer dogs to trace the woman and were led 15km away, where the bloodied mattress was discovered on Tuesday
Police Lieutenant Colonel Tanongsak Phitwitchatham said officers ‘urgently’ need to speak to Balzer, describing his disappearance as ‘very suspicious’.
He continued: ‘Officers are searching for the missing woman and her husband.
‘She could be dead but we do not know until we find a body or we have interviewed the husband.
‘It’s very suspicious that he disappeared so we need to speak with him urgently.’
