The British husband of Lamduan Armitage, a Thai woman whose remains were discovered in a stream in the Yorkshire Dales in 2004, has been apprehended by authorities in Thailand. David Armitage, a university lecturer, was taken into custody in Bangkok by immigration officials following an investigation into his visa status. Reports indicate that Armitage, who holds a resident visa, was detained at his residence in Kanchanaburi on Thursday and subsequently moved to the Bangkok immigration detention center as officials prepare to revoke his visa.
A representative from the UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office stated, “We are providing support to the family of a British national detained in Thailand.” Lamduan, originally from Udon Thani province in northeastern Thailand, was found by hikers on the Pennine Way, between Pen-y-ghent and Horton in Ribblesdale, in September 2004. Initially, detectives suspected she had died of natural causes, but a cold case team revealed in 2018 that Lamduan had been murdered.
Armitage, who has resided in Thailand since her death, did not report his wife missing and has not been interviewed by Thai or British police regarding her disappearance. The victim’s family in Thailand came forward after recognizing an e-fit resembling her, stating they had not heard from her since 2004. They noted that she married a British man in 1991 and relocated to north-west England four years later.
The investigation into Lamduan’s death is being conducted by North Yorkshire police. A spokesperson for the force confirmed awareness of Armitage’s detention, clarifying that it pertains to his visa status and is a matter for the Royal Thai police’s immigration service. Should Mr. Armitage be deported, he will have the option to return to the UK. The police indicated that they would make every effort to speak with him regarding the investigation if that occurs. Armitage has previously stated to the media that he was not involved in his wife’s death.
